Sue Radford

In tonight’s episode of 22 Kids and Counting, one couple make a big decision about the future of their family while the brood celebrate matriach Sue Radford’s milestone

The Radford family prepared to celebrate mum Sue’s 50th birthday during tonight’s episode of 22 Kids and Counting, but Sue was preoccupied when she had a shock pregnancy scare. On the other hand, son in law Harley wanted advice on the snip.

The Channel 5 show follows the life of Sue and husband Noel Radford as they navigate life with their 22 children. In tonight’s episode, viewers saw Sue and Noel worried after a pregnancy scare – although it was soon revealed it was a false alarm.

Elsewhere, their son in law Harley was facing a different baby dilemma. Harley, 24 who is married to their daughter Millie, 23, asked Noel for some advice on the snip, after having three children in a short space of time.

READ MORE: 22 Kids and Counting’s Sue Radford issues health update as she faces big decisionREAD MORE: 22 Kids and Counting’s Sue Radford in pregnancy scare as she drops baby bomb

“I understand why Harley’s asking about the snip,” Noel told the cameras. “They have had quite a few children in a very short space of time, so I can totally see where he’s coming from.”

Noel himself went through a vasectomy, shortly after their son James however he later got the procedure reversed after realising he’d made a “massive mistake.”

The couple then went on to have 13 more children, as he shared his concerns with Harley, who hadn’t spoken to Millie.

Millie and Harley tied the knot in 2024, and since being together, have welcomed two children together, son Chester 2022, and youngest, Elodie-Jade, who arrived in 2023.

The eldest daughter of Sue and Noel welcomed her first daughter, Ophelia, in 2020 at age 19, though the father’s identity remains private.

However, it doesn’t look like she’s ready to stop just yet.

A few weeks later, Millie confronted Harley, after she heard he had been asking Noel for advice. Sharing his reasoning, Harley said: “I see how hard it is for you when you go to work, and I come home and you feel stressed.

“We’ve got three kids at home and they’re really hard work. Imagine if one day you just fell pregnant.”

As Harley went on to gush about his family, he continued: “I feel like if I were to get you pregnant again, it would be bad.”

Millie then agreed the couple had “lots to think about” but Millie said she’d like the option of more kids to be there, as she thinks Harley is “too young” for the operation, as he made a U-Turn on his decision, deciding not to go ahead.

Elsewhere, Sue was left reflecting after a false pregnancy scare. “Britain’s biggest family will not be getting any bigger,” Noel said when they found out the news.

“I miss it,” she said speaking about having a new born. “I used to actually enjoy waking up through the night, but it’s the time that you can get to spend on your own with them. I think the intimacy when you have a new born definitely does bring you closer together. It’s you two against the world.”

As well as the couple’s 22 children, Chris, Sophie, Chloe, Jack, Daniel, Luke, Millie, Katie, James, Ellie, Aimee, Josh, Max, Tillie, Oscar, Casper, Hallie, Phoebe, Archie, Bonnie, and Heidie, they are also grandparents to 15 grandchildren.

Heidie was born in 2020 – and after her birth, the couple insisted she was their last.

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A new spin-off of the Channel 5 show 22 Kids and Counting is set to air this weekend, taking on a new life as Noel Radford begins a journey to find his birth mother

22 Kids and Counting star Sue Radford has opened up about her feelings towards her husband Noel, who is choosing to find his birth mother in a new special TV spin-off.

Both Noel and Sue Radford were adopted as babies and met later when they were children, having their first child together when Sue was just 14 years old and Noel was 18. As of 2021, the pair have had 22 children together and have starred in numerous TV programmes focussing on their huge family and their own difficult upbringings.

Throughout the years, Noel has been candid when speaking about his childhood experiences, having been adopted in 1971 at just 10 days old. Over the years, Noel has candidly spoken about being adopted and hopes to find his biological parents.

However, despite being adopted herself, Sue has no interest in finding her own biological parents, which has caused some divided opinion between the couple. In this next series, viewers who already feel very much a part of their family’s life can follow Noel along as he embarks on an emotional journey to track down the woman who gave birth to him all those years ago.

A teaser clip of the upcoming episodes unveils more about Noel’s feelings. He shared: “It really is a massive thing going looking for your birth mum after all this time. I think I’d like to meet her; yeah, I think I would.”

The now 54-year-old confessed that he felt it was his ‘duty’ to try and find his mother, adding that “They might be desperate to see us.” Although his wife doesn’t seem to share the same sentiment, as a woman who has given birth herself, she seems to hold less empathy for the parents that decided to give them away as babies.

Sue added: “My birth mum was in the same situation as I was in. But I chose to keep my baby, and my mum put me up for adoption. My birth mum didn’t want me, and that does affect you. It has caused a few disagreements between me and Noel. My mum and dad are my mum and dad, and that’s it.”

The brand new series airs on Channel 5 this Sunday night, July 20, with the first episode following the couple as they arrange to meet with an adoption specialist.

A synopsis of the episode states: “For more than three years, Noel Radford has been attempting to make contact with his birth mother but has always drawn a blank. This leads his wife, Sue, to hire an adoption specialist in one final attempt to help her husband fulfil his dream, but it comes with unexpected consequences.”

Since 2021, the Radford’s story has captured the hearts of the nation, and viewers are keen to continue to watch their large family embark on new endeavours. After making the announcement that the couple will be returning to our screens, fans were eager to see what the family of 24 have in store.

A fan commented on the announcement: “Great, can’t wait. I love your family, and it was very moving watching Noel tracing his birth mother. Me and my twin brother and I were adopted, and I can understand how he feels wanting to know.”

The new series 22 Kids and Counting Finding Mum: 50 Years Apart will be available to watch on Channel 5 on July 20 at 8pm.

Sue Radford was left heartbroken after her family friend had died after a battle with cancer at the age of 17

22 Kids and Counting’s Sue Radford was overcome with emotion as she remembered the much-loved family friend Sophie Walker, who tragically died.

The Channel 5 celebrity previously reached out to her followers, encouraging them to contribute donations following the heart-wrenching loss.

Initially misdiagnosed as a stomach bug in 2017, it turned out to be Wilms’ tumour, a rare form of cancer. On June 17, the bereaved family shared a touching tribute on Instagram to remember Sophie, who died last July, reports Lancs Live.

An image captured a year ago, showing Sophie seated on a bed, was posted with the emotional caption: “Today marks a year since Sophie rapidly started to decline.”

The post hauntingly read: “The next few weeks are going to be super hard as we relive what went wrong and what we should’ve done differently.”

The family posted: “It’s absolutely heartbreaking seeing her face in so much pain sitting in this chair, her back was in agony from the rapidly growing tumours, and we were absolutely desperate and terrified at the same time.”

In their message, they shared the devastating news from Germany: “We had a private blood test in Germany and the results weren’t good at all, we knew we were coming to the end of the road and wanted to try and reverse it. Which just wasn’t possible,” and concluded with a poignant reference to Sophie as “Our beautiful girl Sophie.”

The post featured an image along with details of Sophie’s attempts to ameliorate her suffering through various treatments.

Family friend Sue Radford joined the conversation, expressing her support: “You and Jamie are the most amazing parents who fought tirelessly for Sophie,” she wrote.

“This picture breaks my heart. We miss Sophie so much life is just so unfair,” Sue continued, adding a sorrowful emoji. “It breaks my heart.”

The touching post prompted a wave of heartfelt comments from fans offering their love and support to the grieving family.

“Sending your family so much love. I watched your journey, your love and devotion was endless, I’m so sorry nothing could save her” one user empathised.

“You did EVERYTHING you could for her. You do not own an ounce of blame,” another person reassured. “There is nothing you could have done differently. Cancer is a beast,” a third individual acknowledged.

“It breaks my heart she was such a strong warrior and did not deserve this. She is often thought of as are you all sending hugs at this very difficult time,” a fourth shared.