To get a bit annoyed when Dick and Angel Strawbridge insist they're "normal"

[Frankola]

I love Escape To The Chateau. I love Dick and Angel. I really do.

However, it really annoys me when they frequently insist that they are "every day people" and that "anyone can do it".

They ARE NOT every day people! Dick is a respected engineering and environmental expert who has appeared on tele for years before ETC. He's done Scrap Heap Challenge, Coast and all sorts!

Angel is actually a qualified chartered accountant with a professional background in business studies. She was a successful businesswoman in London, creating The Vintage Patisserie hospitality business and also appeared on Dragons Den - where she secured funding for her latest investment.

They were introduced by their agent. Does that sound "normal" to you?

Do every day couples pitch their search for a new life to production companies? Channel 4 even funded their house searching France for them to find the Chateau as they approached them from the very beginning of their project to maximise the potential they saw in this.

Don't get me wrong. I'm all for their success. But I find it a bit insulting almost to expect the doting British public to just buy that these people could be any Tom, Dick or Harry (pun intended).

Any one else feel like this?

@tiktok

So was Brigit his old wife...

Whats this got to do with his ex wife?

I think Angela is very talented but she has piled the weight on after being with Dick.

They're normal for Mumsnet!

I once tried to explain the trouble i'd had starting a career - any career - i must have tried them all! People on here just didn't get that you could try and fail at something

I think he treated his ex wife badly but it is just my opinion and I hope Angela doesn't end up the same as her.

Ha ha, silly indeed, as opposed to being over invested in the lives of people I’ve never met and who have no idea I exist 😄

I think Dick needs to trim his mouth hair....

You must have heard a few on this thread @tiktok

Oh so youre allowed an opinion but im not?

Riiiiight. Im not overinvested i just thought id point out that what you said wasnt true.

I do enjoy the programe but he annoys me ...

The programme is easy watching. Both she and he are eccentric and quirky. Never could you describe either of them, the journey, the castle, any of this as 'normal'!

You can think what you like, no fucks given but I can’t imagine being so defensive of complete strangers 🤷‍♀️

I do feel sorry for the children because Dick is about sixty and won't be around for them.

Im just pointing out that what you said was incorrect and due to the fact you didn't listen to the program but you go ahead and state it as fact anyway.

I like them and I love the show but I always wonder who cleans the place, so many knickknacks, do they have a cleaner come in daily or a housekeeper?

Who’s Dicks ex wife?

Probably the people who pay to go and work for them

Sadly, being abroad, I can’t go back to that first programme to check, and..... I have a life

I like the programme. There are lots of people spending money doing up properties in Europe. I have a friend who regularly designs for places in France, Spain, Switzerland etc. It's a great way to get an old battered ( but characterful) home that you can do up as you please, without being told no by planning or heritage people, that prevent people from doing stuff in Britain's older heritage properties. ( although I'm quite pleased about that on the most part) it's nice to see them trying to stay true to the heritage (apart from the lift !)

Costa of course you do. Commenting about something youve barely watched once.

@OnlyFoolsnMothers

Brigit is Dicks ex wife ... poor woman

Why is she a poor woman?

Yep, more of a life than trawling through old episodes of this programme anyway

I’m fascinated by them.

Dicks face hair is splendid, he seems genuinely lovely.

Angel/a is a hoot. I think she’d be a laugh.

They seem very happy. Obviously it’s scripted and planned for TV.

I started off disliking them, but my husband kept putting g on and I slowly got drawn in and now think they are lovely people and fair play to them for working hard for what they wanted.