Viewers were left in floods of tears as Channel 4’s charming hit series Escape to the Chateau came to an end last night.
Dick Strawbridge and Angel Adoree bought the run-down 45-room chateau for just £280,000 in 2015, with Channel 4 launching it’s popular series following the transformation in 2016.
The sprawling 19th century building has now been valued at £2million, with Dick, 60, and Angel, 41, receiving up to £38,000 per wedding. The average price, however, comes out at around £19,000.
In the final episode of the programme, the couple bid farewell to the show with a huge party for family and friends, where they thanked everyone for their support.
Viewers were left in floods of tear as Channel 4’s charming hit series Escape to the Chateau came to an end last night
One person commented: ‘Sunday nights won’t be the same without Escape to the Chateau. So thankful to of seen them in person on their show both times in Edinburgh.’
Another wrote: ‘Pure escapism and joy. Sunday will not feel the same without it. Thank you for sharing your life with us.’
A third added: ‘Crying after the final episode. I made my move to France inspired by Dick and Angel and it seems so sad to be saying goodbye to them.’
‘A sad day for warm, family friendly great TV,’ another wrote. ‘I’ll miss watching them grow, but I’ll always have glass gem maize and the hope of a future truffle update.’
Many of those watching were left in tears after watching the programme, with some calling it ‘pure escapism and joy’
One added: ‘Wouldn’t miss it for the world. Eight years have flown by so fast. It’s been an enlightening and enjoyable watch. I’ll be ready, drink in hand, at 8pm for the final farewell of this chapter.’
The programme started off with Dick and Angel measuring their children against a wall to see how much they had grown in a year.
The couple then explained how they had invited over 100 friends and family to come and celebrate Christmas, and the final episode, together.
Angel said: ‘This year I have had a real heightened level of appreciation for family gatherings.
During the programme, the couple took part in their usual Christmas traditions, with Angel heading out foraging for decorations
‘I’ve had a vision that we’re all outside the front having a massive Christmas dinner.’
The couple went out onto the estate to pick up a perfect Christmas tree for the family home, decorating the property ahead of the party.
Meanwhile they took part in a long-running Christmas tradition, with Angel and Dorothy heading out foraging for decorations.
Friends and family started arriving at the chateau, while Angel laid out homemade crackers and table settings in a marquee for guests.
Meanwhile Angel was emotional as she laid out decorations and table settings ahead of the grand party
Angel was emotional as she looked around the tent, saying: ‘There’s been so much happening, and actually there’s not many times in your whole life that all your friends and family get together.
‘It’s all about memories. We’re going to be talking about this for a long, long time.’
For many of the guests, it was the first time in years that they had seen each other – and the tent was quickly filled with warmth and love.
In the kitchen, it was all hands on deck to prepare a five course Christmas menu for the guests.
The programme finished with the family watching a huge fireworks display with loved-ones from a marquee in their garden
As the guests sat down at their tables in the marquee, Dick and Angel gave a speech to thank them for coming to the event.
Angel said: ‘This is a big family Christmas dinner because you are our family.’
Dick said: ‘The bottom line is, we’re all at home so be at home and enjoy yourselves.’
And as the evening came to an end, the couple stood up to give a final speech.
Angel said: ‘We are so so grateful to have everybody here. Our friends, family and wonderful team – we just love everybody so so much.’
Meanwhile Dick said he felt ‘so grateful’ that they were all together, adding how ‘special’ the group were.
Meanwhile Dick and Angel’s son Arthur was shown weeping as he confessed it had been ‘the best day of his life’
The family popped outside the marquee where they watched an incredible fireworks display together.
Arthur exclaimed: ‘This is the best day of my life!’
He couldn’t contain his emotion and burst into tears, with Angel telling her family: ‘What a journey it has been and I love you both so much.’
Meanwhile Dick said: ‘If it wasn’t for you two, we wouldn’t have done this!’
Dick and Angel announced the news the series would come to an end in September this year.
In a statement, they said: ‘Escape to the Chateau has been our family journey; our decision to buy a Chateau with no water, electricity, heating or sewage has taken us on the adventure of a lifetime and we could never have imagined what would unfold.
The good, the bad and the ugly…we have cherished every second and love that we have a visual record to show Arthur and Dorothy (their children) when they’re older.
‘We’re so grateful to everyone who continues to support us and we’re looking forward to what the future holds. As one Chateau chapter ends, so another Chateau story begins…’
And earlier this week, Dick and wife Angel joined Lorraine to discuss the final series.
Speaking about filming the last episode Angel admitted it was ‘really emotional’ and their nine-year-old son Arthur was crying.
She said: ‘We literally finished filming a week ago and it was really emotional, my mum kept crying but it was really happy emotion.’
‘Arthur was sobbing, it was really beautiful, theres not many times you get all of your family and wedding are one of them but when it’s a happy moment like that it’s great.’
For those who have followed the family’s journey, fear not: Channel 4 has commissioned Escape to the Chateau: Secret France due to air in 2023, which will follow Dick and Angel’s adventures as they unlock the mysteries of the country.
Read more:
Stars Dick and Angel confirm their upcoming ninth season will be their last and say they’ve cherished the ‘good, the bad and the ugly’
Escape to the Chateau viewers go wild over Dick Strawbridge’s hunky tattooed chef son James as he helps cook up a storm in the kitchen
Escape to the Chateau stars Dick and Angel say it was ‘really emotional’ filming the final episode their son, Arthur, 9, broke down in tears
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