Angel Strawbridge opens up on non-existent love life before Dick and Escape To The Chateau

Angel Strawbridge has revealed she failed to find the one before meeting her husband Dick Strawbridge in her 30s back in 2010, as she favoured success over love. The Escape To The Chateau stars are famed for their popular Channel 4 show, which came to an end after nine series two years ago, and have since gone on to front new show Secret France.

Opening up about her life before entering the world of television, Angel, 46, said she struggled to find love as she was simply too busy. From the young age of just 13, Angel ditched teenage parties to kickstart the career she is now eternally grateful for.

It all began when she became deeply interested in finding the best bargains at car boot sales which led to her opening up her own vintage stall at Spitalfields market. This was followed by her founding The Vintage Patisserie company, which won the investment of Deborah Meaden and Theo Paphitis on Dragons' Den in 2010.

Reflecting on her life before the Chateau, Angel said she was constantly asked by her family if she had found a boyfriend yet and began to question if she was a failure. Speaking on Elizabeth Day's How To Fail podcast, she shared: "I think growing up, 25 is a really big number and if it doesn't happen, it makes you feel a bit odd and different."

Angel went on to say that despite this, she had no desire to get married, with her only goal being to be successful. "I was too busy to (find love)," she shared. "I genuinely never met somebody who I knew was the one and I just had a busy life. And I just thought well if you're really the one, I haven't got time."

Fast forward to 2010 and the businesswoman not only had success on Dragons' Den, but also crossed paths with her now husband Dick, who is 18 years her senior.

The couple initially met at a mutual friend's party, before bumping into each other again via the show Celebrity Masterchef.

Recalling their first proper chat, she shared with Elizabeth: "We just sat and talked after him cooking for this huge big party of guests.

"Everyone wanted to talk to Dick, to congratulate him and talk about the food and he just came and sat next to me and we just talked all night."

On what drew her to Dick initially, she continued to gush: "He's so passionate about life, about everything. He's a story teller and he's got a certain energy.

"Honestly, even now he's got this aura about him of authority. It makes my hairs go on end, he's a very strong, powerful man, that is very kind as well and he'll do anything for anyone."

Two years into meeting, Angel admits she jokingly wrote an "impregnate me" date in the calender as a hint to her partner.

After always wanting one boy and one girl, the reality star soon had her wish granted when she gave birth to Arthur, now 11, and Dorothy, 10, who also featured on the show.

Additionally, Dick was previously married to engineer Brigit Weiner for 28 years and they share two adult children.

Addressing the couple's age gap in 2020, Angel told Fabulous Magazine that it “didn’t matter” to her as it was “love at first sight”.

“Age is but a number, and Dick’s always had a really ­wonderful energy and he’s a doer,” she added.

How to Fail with Elizabeth Day is available to listen to wherever you get your podcasts.