The father of Britain’s largest family has revealed plans to take a step back from work so he can have more “me time”.
Noel Radford, 53, who runs a cake shop near his family’s 10-bedroom home in Lancashire, told his wife Sue Radford, 49, he would work “one or two days a week” so he could start “enjoying life”.
The father of Britain’s “biggest family” announced the decision during an episode of his Channel 5 reality show, 22 Kids and Counting, and shared a short clip of the conversation with Instagram.
The video captured the famous couple dressed in pyjamas and lying in bed at their Victorian home in Morecambe, as they discussed their future and their “mid-life crisis”.
Father-of-22 Noel Radford has revealed he will be taking a step back from his work obligations in order to have more “me time” (pictured: Noel and wife Sue Radford on their reality show, 22 Kids and Counting)
Noel told his wife that he will now work “one or two days a week” so that he can start “enjoying life” (pictured: the couple on holiday in the Maldives)
He began: ‘I’ve been talking to a few people recently and observing their lifestyle and how their children have grown up and how they enjoy life.
‘You know, going out and doing your thing every day and whatever… I think I need to start doing that.
“So what I’m going to do… I’m going to work one or two days a week.”
At that moment Sue stared at her husband and looked confused and perplexed, saying, “What about you?”
“And that’s it. Yes,” he confirmed. Sue asked again, “So you’re really going to take a step back?”
“Yes, it’s time for me,” Noel said.
The clip ended with Sue taking a deep breath and rolling her eyes, seemingly in disbelief at Noel’s announcement.
The Radfords have come a long way from their earlier days of financial hardship and strict £250 weekly shopping budgets to become one of Britain’s most famous families.
Noel announced the shocking decision during an episode of the family’s Channel 5 reality show, 22 Kids and Counting.
In the video, the famous couple can be seen dressed in pyjamas and lying in bed at their Victorian home in Morecambe, as they discuss their future.
The proud parents of 22 children can now boast a much more luxurious lifestyle, after years of hard work in the family cake business and numerous jobs as influencers and on television.
In fact, Noel appeared in court in May this year charged with speeding in a Porsche. He was accused of driving at a speed exceeding the 40mph limit on the Bay Gateway Link Road in Morecambe on December 14 last year. He was also charged with failing to provide information relating to the identification of the driver of a Porsche.
Fans may be surprised that Noel can afford to move around in such style, especially considering he once revealed he had to stick to a strict £25-a-week budget in order to survive.
They are also known to travel in luxury: in February this year, the Radfords were spotted travelling in style in their £40,000 camper van, even declaring it was “the best thing” they had ever bought.
Noel, 53, and Sue, 49, have had 22 children together over the past 34 years. The couple are pictured with 19 of their children at their home in Morecambe following the birth of their daughter Heidie in April 2020.
Noel Radford runs a cake shop near his family’s 10-bedroom home in Lancashire.
Noel and Sue have also bought a hot tub, reportedly worth £27,000, which is installed in their garden. They also spent another £7,000 on Christmas presents in 2022.
Meanwhile, in September 2023, the Radfords said they were “recharging” on a “lovely weekend” just weeks after returning from a holiday to Florida that cost a whopping £60,000. The vacation would mark the family’s 18th holiday in 20 months.
Perhaps the father of 22 has requested a well-deserved break after having worked so hard to be able to afford such a luxurious lifestyle.
However, some may argue that paid Instagram posts, YouTube ads, and high-paying TV shows aren’t exactly grueling jobs.
The news comes as the father of Britain’s “biggest family” has been left with a “midlife crisis” in the latest episode of 22 Kids and Counting.
Noel Radford lamented losing the dream of his old life as a truck driver in Australia and even took his wife Sue on a trip to Dubai in an attempt to persuade her to move the family.
Noel Radford appeared in court in May this year on speeding charges (pictured: a photo taken inside Noel’s Porsche dating back to 2021)
It’s amazing how the Radfords can afford their lavish lifestyle, which includes this trip to Disney World, Florida, which reportedly cost £60,000.
To start the episode, the patriarch of the family decided to go on a hike with other parents of a similar age group.
However, unlike the Radfords, they have had to adjust to their children leaving home.
With 18 children still under his roof, Noel admitted that “it’s always been work and family, that’s all.”
“My hobbies ended when I took over the bakery,” she told the group. “I think when you’re busy working and looking after 20 or so children, you forget about them, time flies and they’re gone, don’t you?”
Noel also revealed that starting his family when they were teenagers meant he had to grow up quickly.
“We didn’t have time for friends or anything like that,” he added. “I never heard from them again, never saw them again or anything.”
The father of 22 said that when he was young he wanted to move to Australia and become a truck driver.
“You have to make a lot of sacrifices when you have so many kids,” she continued. “I put all my dreams aside. I wish we could have done that.”
“It’s been great, you know, the family getting bigger… But I guess it’s put a dream of mine on hold.”
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