Dick Strawbridge planned to break up with Angel - but she gave him an ultimatum that swayed his mind.
The lovebirds tied the knot over seven years ago in the comfort of their 42-room chateau, the same property that is the star of their Channel 4 renovation series, Escape to the Chateau.
The pair were first introduced to each other by their mutual agent at a 40th birthday party Angel was hosting and hit it off instantly. Though fans of the couple may see it as a fairytale relationship, with a 20-year age gap between them, Dick was initially hesitant to turn it into something serious.
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At the time, Dick had been single for six years having separated from his first wife Brigit, with whom he has adult children James, 38, and Charlotte, 36. He thought it would be best for Angel to find a man around her own age and wasn't willing to keep her from finding one.
Speaking to the Times, Dick said: "After spending Christmas together we knew we had to have the conversation. I said, 'Damn, girl, this is wonderful, but we really have to think about ending this.'
"Angel and I had our fun, then I told her it was time for her find a young man, have children, because I felt I shouldn't keep her from that."
Angel wasn't on the same page as Dick as she made it clear what her plans for the future were. Dick added: "What she said, bloody woman, was that she actually wanted me. You're a long time dead. Why wouldn't you just jump in and live life?"
Serious about starting a family, 16 months into their relationship Angel gave Dick an ultimatum, handing him a calendar with the words 'impregnate me by this date' written on.
He met the target and the delighted couple welcomed son Arthur, now nine, followed by Dorothy, now eight. In a move that would change their lives forever, a year later the couple swapped their two-bed home in east London for a dilapidated 45-room chateau in France's Pays de la Loire region.
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