Channel 4's popular show 'Escape to the Chateau' is back on TV but while fans have been eagerly awaiting the next instalment of the restoration programme, it only took minutes before some viewers declared themselves "heartbroken".
Viewers of the programme have been following the progress of the Strawbridge family - headed by "moustachioed TV presenter Dick Strawbridge", a former army Colonel and is partner Angel Strawbridge. Declaring the series back on TV, Dick wrote on Twitter: "So what are you doing this evening? 20.00hrs Ch4 our new series of #Escapetothechateau starts - hope you can join us!!"
After the pandemic the couple were forced to close the chateau for two years, however, Mr Strawbridge added: "We’ve been busy this year finding the new normal and so it’s been very special opening the Chateau up again ….. (and the children just keep growing!)"
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As viewers settled down in front of their TVs to watch Angel and Dick tackle a few jobs before re-opening, the narrator delivered a blow. While Angel and Dick set about their tasks, Chateau de la Motte Husson needed a new coat for the 150-year-old exterior walls and Angel wanted a dedicated wedding workshop, viewers were shocked to hear the voice over reveal it would be The Strawbridge's "final chapter".
Nottinghamshire Live sister publication, Liverpool Echo, spotted social media reaction to the news. One viewer tweeted: "Final chapter??!" Another said: "@dickstrawbridge please let this not be the last ever series." While a third wrote: "The final? Noooooooo…"
Fans from far and wide reacted to the news. One Twitter user in New South Wales, Australia wrote: "We’ve still got a wait for the new series but I won’t watch the final episode. It’ll be on the list with MASH, Morse & Blackadder. If you don’t watch the final episodes the series hasn’t finished!!" Another fan said: "Heartbroken this is the last series, I love seeing what Dick, Angel and the children are up to every year."
In September, Angel and Dick confirmed the ninth series of Escape to the Chateau would be their last. In a statement they said: "It’s our finale of the classic Escape to the Chateau, it’s been an 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 when they’re older.
"We are so grateful for all the love and support…and we promise to continue our adventures with you, just in a different way, as we venture outside the gates of the Chateau and explore the wonderful country we live in. Escape to the Chateau: Secret France (WT)... next year…we honestly cannot wait...Thank you Channel 4."
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