EXCLUSIVE: Channel 4 is going through contemporary questions over the way it handled bullying allegations towards the celebrities of its hit collection, Escape to the Chateau, after the emergence of a leaked recording that includes Angel Strawbridge hurling offensive language at a producer.
Deadline revealed final week that Channel 4 had cut ties with Dick and Angel Strawbridge following an impartial investigation into their conduct, however sources argued that the broadcaster ought to have taken motion towards the couple sooner.
Channel 4 has a “zero tolerance” strategy to bullying and harassment, however didn’t absolutely examine proof that got here to gentle in 2021, which purported to indicate Angel calling a producer a “f*****g c**t.”
Deadline has now obtained a replica of an audio recording of Angel that seems to indicate that this was not an remoted incident. Within the clip, revealed under, she could be heard describing a member of the Escape to the Chateau movie crew as a “f****d up little c**t.”
Throughout the altercation, Angel questioned two producers a couple of delay to her schedule for the day. As her anger grew, she accused one of many people of posting photographs on Instagram of a person who had a likeness to her husband, Dick.
“Who’s that impressed by if you’re f*****g working on the chateau? Simply inform me that after which you’ll be able to f*****g depart and that is me f*****g offended as a result of I believe you’re a f****d up little c**t,” she mentioned.
The clip was recorded throughout filming on one of many first 4 seasons of Escape to the Chateau. Earlier within the audio, Angel mentioned that her husband Dick talked to folks like “s**t,” to which a producer responded: “And I don’t like that both.”
A consultant for the Strawbridges declined to remark. The couple has beforehand denied allegations that they bullied or had been aggressive in the direction of crew members. Channel 4 declined to touch upon the audio, however mentioned it was dedicated to “secure, inclusive, {and professional} working environments.”
Beneath is an excerpt of the leaked audio, which comprises uncensored language some could discover offensive.
Dick and Angel have cultivated a heat, healthful picture on Escape to the Chateau, which follows their extraordinary efforts to renovate a Nineteenth-century French nation home. The present has been a giant hit for Channel 4, drawing audiences of tens of millions, and a few producers have spoken favorably about their experience working on the project.
The leaked audio obtained by Deadline follows The Times of London publishing proof in April 2021 of Dick and Angel swearing at producers. The altercations got here as relations broke down between the Strawbridges and manufacturing outfit Spark Media Companions, prompting Channel 4 to maneuver Escape to the Chateau to a brand new firm: Two Rivers Media.
Questions For Channel 4
Channel 4 advised The Instances it was “not conscious” of the allegations towards the Strawbridges, however when introduced with proof by the newspaper, it didn’t formally look at the historic claims.
This was regardless of The Instances report prompting others to write down to Ian Katz, Channel 4’s Chief Content material Officer, to complain about their experiences of working with the Strawridges.
Deadline has seen an e-mail to Katz from Claire Barratt, who co-presented 2018’s The Largest Little Railway In The World with Dick Strawbridge. She expressed her misgivings about his alleged conduct and therapy of contributors on the present, which was commissioned earlier than Katz joined Channel 4.
Sources mentioned Katz acknowledged the considerations and pointed to enhancements in its processes. Channel 4 additionally sought reassurances concerning the Strawbridges’ conduct from Two Rivers Media, which had lately taken on the Escape to the Chateau manufacturing contract and was upbeat about its expertise of working with the couple.
Two producers, who labored on the primary 4 seasons of Escape to the Chateau for Spark Media, insist that Channel 4 was verbally warned concerning the Strawbridges’ conduct and was given particular examples of their alleged conduct.
“We felt like we had reported them to the channel as extraordinarily tough to work with,” mentioned one particular person. The second supply added: “The best way Channel 4 handled this was prefer it didn’t exist.”
A senior Channel 4 insider acknowledged that “allegations of unfavorable conduct” had been raised informally by Spark Media, however no written grievance was made. This particular person mentioned Channel 4 stood by the assertion given to The Instances, through which it mentioned it was unaware of accusations concerning the Strawbridges utilizing abusive language.
Channel 4 carried out an inside evaluation of its bullying and harassment complaints procedures in 2021. This made clear that Channel 4 ought to examine claims of wrongdoing, even when raised informally.
In a press release, Channel 4 mentioned: “Channel 4 is taking an energetic position in difficult unacceptable behaviour in our business. Following a evaluation of our processes in 2021 we’ve got made it simpler to boost complaints each formally and informally.
“We require all our manufacturing companions to observe our Provider Code of Conduct and when considerations are raised with us, they are going to be taken significantly and motion will occur to make sure they’re investigated and addressed appropriately. There may be all the time extra to do and alongside our suppliers we’re dedicated to constructing secure, inclusive {and professional} working environments.”
Channel 4 CEO Alex Mahon mentioned in 2017 that the broadcaster has “zero tolerance” for bullying and harassment. She oversaw an replace to its Provider Code of Conduct, which says the broadcaster doesn’t tolerate “offensive behaviour of any type.”