Escape to the Chateau stars Dick and Angel Strawbridge have shared pictures from a family holiday to Canada following the announcement that their Channel 4 television programme is to return.
The couple posted photographs to Instagram this week showing their trip across the Atlantic with their two children, Arthur, 13, and Dorothy, 11, as the school summer break draws to a close.
The family took part in water-based activities during the holiday, including boating on a lake and rowing.
Writing on the social media platform, Angel described the holiday as a "wonderful Strawbridge family gathering" where they enjoyed family time, laughter and made plenty of memories.
"Pinch and a Punch of the Month! And what a summer to remember," Angel said. "Since arriving back home, we've been enjoying some lovely, quieter moments before the school year begins again."
Back to school
The television personality noted that Arthur and Dorothy would return to school "TOMORROW!"
She added that Dorothy's absolute highlight was packing a new school bag with fresh stationery, adding: "She LOVES it! ✏️"
"So today is all about squeezing every last drop out of the summer holidays before the alarm clocks are set and school bags are by the door," Angel said.
"To everyone starting school this week, we're thinking of you and sending lots of love for a wonderful new school year! Obligatory first-day-of-school photo coming soon."
Television return
The holiday updates follow the couple saying they were "delighted" to announce the unexpected return of their television show to UK screens later this year.
The programme followed the couple as they renovated an abandoned French estate in north-west France, raised their family, and ran a wedding and event planning business. It aired 50 episodes over nine series before concluding in 2022.
In an interview with Country and Town House, Angel confirmed the show's television return.
"We will return to UK screens this year. What we do have is a Christmas Special attached to it," she said. "We finished filming around and it felt rude not to do one. So the series may sit until later in the year to tie in with the Christmas Special."
She said the children will be "more involved" in the upcoming series.
Dick agreed, noting that they have included the children in decisions about the show for the past five or six years.
"Every year, we decide what to do next, and for the last five or six years we've included the children in that conversation," he said.
"Series 10 existed because there was such big change within the family, Arthur is a young man now, Dorothy's a young woman," he said. "But those changes haven't quite finished, so we made the decision that Series 11 would follow from 10, because there are more things we've started in 10 that still need to be completed."
"Next year we'll make the decision about what follows," he added. "What we always make sure of is that we protect the family time. We've really got a certain number of years to enjoy the children in the way we do now, and that's our number one priority."
Sharing the reason for their return, the couple said they have stepped into a new era as a family.
"Now, as a family, we've stepped into a new era. With Arthur and Dorothy happily settled into college, Series 10 brings more change and growth than the Chateau has ever seen," they said.
"We promised that when the time was right for our family, we'd invite the cameras back in to give you an update, and maybe even a Christmas Special... and that time is now!
"Thank you for being part of our story, we can't wait to share this next magical chapter with you."
Departure and controversy
The series wrapped up in 2022 after it was dramatically axed due to behind-the-scenes bust-ups, though last year Dick and Angel insisted they had no regrets over leaving the programme.
The couple told Devon Live that removing cameras from their lives was the right thing to do to focus on their children's livelihood and navigating senior school.
"Back in 2022, we had a huge conversation saying, 'before they get all the pressures that young people have in their lives on them, it was time for us to walk away from the Escape'," Dick said.
Angel added: "They'd had the cameras here all year round, and it was exactly the right thing to do. What we're not against, we haven't sort of hidden them away from the media. They love it."
The couple were dropped by Channel 4 four years ago after being engulfed in a bullying scandal, and it was revealed in May 2023 that the broadcaster had cut ties following an independent investigation into their conduct.
Channel 4 confirmed they would no longer work with the pair on new productions following a review, after they were branded "spiky and volatile".
A leaked recording revealed Angel branding a producer a "F***ed up little c**t".
Speaking on Elizabeth Day's How To Fail podcast in June, Angel defended herself over the foul-mouthed rant, explaining she fell into a pre-laid trap and will not apologise.
"I was the one in the wrong for losing my temper, but do you know what, I will not apologise, he was so disrespectful in our house, he was so upsetting to me, my family, and I stand by what I did," she said.
"If I was to apologise and say 'I'm sorry for using bad language and chucking you out,' it would just be disingenuous to me."
She added: "Would I like to erase that? Yeah, I'd love to. But I would also like to erase what he was doing, because my rage just didn't pop out of nowhere."
