THEY'RE one of Britain's most famous families but Sue and Noel Radford have never opened up with such candour spilling one family secret after another in their most recent Q&A.
The Radford family, based Morecambe Lancashire, shot to fame in 2012 thanks to their series 15 Kids and Counting. The last programme, 22 Kids and Counting, aired in on Channel 5 in January this year.
In a rare moment of candour the couple addressed their most asked questions from the Radford fanbase.
It'll be the last of we'll of them in a while, as yesterday Sue Radford revealed she was quitting social media until at least September. But we got our fair share of family secrets - from 'feuding' to hitting back at trolls, Noel's secret dreams and what mum Sue really struggles with were all revealed with startling honesty.
Trolls
The couple – who had their first son Christopher when Sue was 14 and Noel was 18 – have adopted a firm line when it comes to internet trolls with Noel's simple mantra, “I don’t care what anyone says it doesn’t bother me.”
Are there illegal baby names? Surprising monikers that are BANNED in other countries, from Sarah to Thomas
Sue’s says the family followers are “lovely.” Her secret to dealing with online abuse is simple, “we stick to our socials. We don’t go elsewhere looking for these things.”
And the reason?
“We need to be mentally in a good place to look after the kids.”
Noel's secret dreams
Noel who states spag bol is his favourite meal revealed his bucket list holiday is not only to climb Everest but to visit woo-woo Machu Pichu in Peru.
While Sue would prefer to jet off to the tropical isle of Bora Bora.
The Radfords are unlikely to find pasta dishes in any of those far-flung destinations are they?
The (very many) holidays
The family regularly jet off on holiday revealing they are back to Florida – again! – this summer.
They also name dropped their previous jaunts to the Maldives, Florida and Sue’s trip to New York with the girls.
And the Radfords would “love” to go back to Zante in Greece.
The couple even revealed they have seriously discussed buying a villa Florida.
I'm scared I've ruined my daughter's life because of her name
Noel went so far as to admit they have done a bit of research, looking up just how often such spendy villas are rented out.
There is money in filming the ins and outs of a big family, but is there an even bigger income in Florida villa rentals?
The family appear to be on the fence at the moment with Sue saying, “I would love to buy one and rent it out but they are a lot of money.”
Toot-toot! Any More Babies?
On their last holiday in April (we can't keep up - but we think it was to Cornwall!) the couple agreed to have “no more babies.”
With the couple saying, “We were watching the kids play in the pool Heidie is three and out of nappies.” There is even talk of getting rid of the final pram.
Spoilt kids – yes or no!
The couple reckon that their kids are NOT spoilt.
Noel says that apart from “sweetie Fridays” and Christmas and birthday present the children don’t get gifts all the time: “we give them a good life and we do go on holidays. But that’s family time. We don’t spoil them.”
How on earth do they get quality time with the kids?
Noel takes to task those who reckon the couple don’t spend any time with their brood and claims that not one of them have ever asked for some alone time with their mum or dad.
“A common misconception about our family is how we spend time with our children.
“We’ve adapted over the years.
“It’s never one on one.
“There will be two or three of them sat colouring, drawing, cooking. Not one of them says “I want to do it just with me.”
Noel’s guilty secret
Noel confesses to being able to only remember Chris, Chloe, Sophie and Tilly’s dates of birth – and not the other 18 kids’ birthdays (and who can blame him?).
He explained that his dad even put together a spreadsheet with each child’s age and date of birth that he kept folded up in his wallet.
He cringed recalling how the “colour would drain from my face” at medical appointments with one of the kids when asked for their date of birth.
I’d have to turn to them and say, “when’s your birthday?”
How they pay for it all
The couple hit out at those who question how they can afford to pay for their offspring.
In answering a fan’s question Sue finally revealed that the secret to the family income is simple - multiple income streams.
“We have the bakery, the TV programme and YouTube providing different incomes.”
Sue – who says she doesn’t have a cleaner and does all the housework herself – also reckons that when Heidie starts nursery in September she’ll start working part time at the bakery – superstar!
As for Noel now he has the new bakery he reckons he’ll never stop working.
Family feud
Where there is a reality show there is always a feud.
And - boo! - there was no mention of it in the two You Tube videos so we'll recap here.
Millie Radford, 21, fired up an Instagram war this with mum Sue in April over holidays.
Mum-of-two Millie started the feud after the Radfords took their kids and other grandchildren on a spendy family trip to Florida.
Sue didn’t reply – instead she did the sensible thing and consulted a psychic for advice on whether to go with “my head or my heart” - and popped it on her Insta stories too.
Anyone for popcorn because we reckon this feud will run.
Even though the family might go on more holidays than the average brit and redefine the meaning of mayhem we think they’re great.
Sue, 48 and her husband Noel, 52 are parents to Chris, 34, Sophie, 29, Chloe, 27, Jack, 26, Daniel, 24, Luke, 22, Millie, 21, Katie, 20, James, 19, Ellie, 18, Aimee, 17, Josh, 16, Max, 14, Tillie, 13, Oscar, 11, Casper, 10, Hallie, eight, Phoebe, six, Archie, five, Bonnie, four, and Heidie, three.
