Hotpoint Aquarius WDAL9640 – how to remove front panel?

Hi,

the rubber seal needs replacing on my washer/dryer – it’s somehow come away from the drum and the exposed plastic components underneath are ripping my clothes to shreds.

I’ve been following a YouTube video pretty well to try and do it myself and I got as far as having to remove the front panel, where I hit a problem; it appears to be welded on with no apparent way to remove it.

Does it come off, and if so how?

If it doesn’t come off, how do I get behind the front panel to release the inner retaining band and dryer duct?

Thanks in advance