Escape to the Chateau stars Dick and Angel Strawbridge became household names when millions fell in love with their renovation of a 19th-century property in France’s Martigné-sur-Mayenne.
But when they were axed by Channel 4 amid claims of bullying and clashes on set earlier this year, it was impossible not to wonder if it would represent the death knell for their burgeoning careers.
Yet the couple are defying expectations and continuing to flourish as they explore other avenues for success beyond their stint on the small screen.
Dick, 63, and Angel, 45, established themselves as firm family favourites as viewers lapped up their onscreen chemistry across nine series of the reality show, which aired between 2016 and 2022.
Not resting on their laurels, the Strawbridges quickly looked to see how they could build on – and monetise – the popularity of their time in the limelight.
Escape to the Chateau stars Dick and Angel Strawbridge have an ‘impervious’ brand and continue to go from strength to strength – despite being axed from Channel 4 earlier this year, a PR expert claims
The Chateau: Forever Home is the Strawbridges’ third release, which they are promoting on two event nights at the Bristol Hippodrome and London Barbican in October
By establishing a brand, they have been able to sell a range of merchandise, including various types of colourful, eccentric wallpaper made famous by their renovation on TV, available for £33 a roll
The Chateau shop also sells a bamboo folly mural, which is available to buy for £303
The couple even sell their own bottles of branded gin, priced on the site at £45
By establishing a brand, they have been able to sell a range of merchandise, including various types of colourful, eccentric wallpaper made famous by their renovation on TV, available for £33 a roll.
The Chateau shop also sells a bamboo folly mural for £303, quilted throws for £180 and even a bottle of its own branded gin for £45.
Furthermore, their website advertises a range of events at the chateau, but adds that they’re ‘currently unavailable whilst we play catch up’.
Their success has been such that figures this week revealed they nearly doubled their income last year.
Reserves in the companies which channel the couple’s earnings hit £1.44million in the 12 months to the end of September last year – up from £777,000 the previous year.
TShirt Patisserie Limited, controlled by the couple, was the biggest winner – rocketing in value from £270,000 to £688,000, while Chateau Television’s value went up from £50,000 to £286,000, and Jera Enterprises was boosted by £13,500 to £470,500.
Dick and Angel control the three companies via a fourth company which owns the shares.
Chateau Television and Jera Enterprises is the couple’s TV production firm, while TShirt Patisserie Limited channels income from ‘retail sale of new goods in specialised stores’.
PR expert Mark Borkowski told MailOnline that their success was no surprise and the result of a clever strategy.
‘The bottom line is this couple have built such an extraordinary profile off the back of that programme,’ he said.
Dick, 63, and Angel, 45 (pictured with children Arthur and Dorothy), established themselves as firm family favourites as viewers lapped up their onscreen chemistry across nine series of the reality show, which aired between 2016 and 2022
More recently, the couple have announced a new book launch, where they will look to go head-to-head with Dick’s lookalike son, James (pictured together), in the sales charts
‘They are great communicators and story tellers and that skill never leaves you. They have a persona and a unique place in the market, and then it’s all about niche marketing.
‘Back in the day when we just had four TV channels, they were gatekeepers to whether you were good, bad or indifferent. But now everybody has got their own chance to create something.
‘They will have a robust team behind them, but it’s quality over quantity – that can just be one or two people to help with social media.’
More recently, the couple have announced a new book launch, where they will look to go head-to-head with Dick’s lookalike son, James, in the sales charts.
The Chateau: Forever Home is the Strawbridges’ third release, which they are promoting on two event nights at the Bristol Hippodrome and London Barbican in October.
However, their quest for domination in that field could be scuppered by their own flesh and blood: James Strawbridge, who published Salt and the Art of Seasoning just weeks ago.
The chef has long been reminded of his likeness to his father and has fronted a BBC programme of his own – Strawbridge Over The Drawbridge – where he visits stately homes to cook up a storm for the Lords and Ladies of each manor.
To try and entice customers, the couple are offering 20% off their books and DVDs until July 25.
As well as competing in the book market, the couple are embarking on a new UK-wide tour, which will see their young children Arthur and Dorothy join them as they tread the boards across the country next year.
In a Facebook post announcing the 33-date blitz, the pair said each theatre show will have a ‘click-bait segment’ that will allow them to ‘set the record straight!’
Among the many products for sale on The Chateau website is a quilted throw, available to buy for £180
The site sells a range of wallpaper, similar to the designs seen during the renovation of the chateau on the show
As well as competing in the book market, the couple are embarking on a new UK-wide tour, which will see their young children Arthur and Dorothy join them as they tread the boards across the country next year
Their success is perhaps even more remarkable given the blow they suffered to their TV operations when both Channel 4 and Two Rivers, the production company which makes Escape to the Chateau, cut ties with them.
Recent weeks have seen Angel and Dick branded ‘spiky’, ‘volatile’ and ‘a nightmare to work with’ amid their feud with the broadcaster.
Sources close to the couple previously told MailOnline their behaviour on set was nothing like their ‘gorgeous’ on-screen personas.
Insiders added they couldn’t hide their ‘real characters’ to crew members who spent weeks with them filming the popular show in north-west France.
However Angel said that she did not recognise the picture painted, telling The Daily Telegraph: ‘If you asked every single person on our team, they would all say that Dick is completely chivalrous.
‘He will always be that person opening doors, helping people, and if anyone upsets me, he will be the first person to take control of the situation. He is very protective.’
Mr Borkowski concluded: ‘You don’t need to have the backing of a TV show forever, once you have produced your brand you are impervious – even in this current age of cancelling people.
‘Once people have a feeling and trust a brand, it doesn’t matter what the headlines are saying.’
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