Britain's biggest family, The Radfords, have hit back at online trolls - after they were branded 'ridiculous' for spending too much money of their 22 children.
The family from Morecambe, Lancs, came under attack this week after Sue announced she was taking the whole family for Walt Disney World Florida to celebrate her 50th birthday - a trip that's estimated to be worth at least £30,000. One fan posted on X: "They are no longer relatable. They keep splashing the cash and it's not attractive." Another said: "I feel sorry for anyone having to share a plane with that lot."
It followed previous criticism after the Sue posted a video showing a huge pile of presents under their tree just before Christmas.
It was dubbed 'festive overkill' by some cruel keyboard warriors, while another wrote: “It’s sickening the amount of presents this year…ridiculous parenting.”
But in an exclusive interview - ahead of the second episode of their reality show 22 Kids and A Wedding - Sue, 49, and Noel Radford, 54, insist they've had enough of the abuse, arguing that they've actually been on a cost-cutting drive.
Noel, 54, explains: “At the end of the day, that living room had stuff for twenty odd people in there!”
Image:
Instagram)Sue, who turns 50 on March 22, admitted they'd also halved the £300 budget they normally spend on each child for Christmas after stumping up £9,000 for their daughter Millie's wedding last November.
With 22 children that means they slashed their present bill from an average £6,600 to £3,300. Not that the children minded of course.
She reveals: “We actually purposely scaled it right down this year by at least half. We told the kids they wouldn’t be getting as much as past years and they were all absolutely fine with it. They were so understanding. A lot of them only asked for a pair of boots and were happy with that.”
The couple, run their own pie business and make money from their show and media appearances. They released the hardback version of their memoir Making Life Count, via Mirror Books, last year and have the paperback version due for release on February 13.
Image:
Youtube/The Radford Family)Even so they're also making other cash-saving lifestyle swaps as they are feeling the pinch of the cost of living crisis like the rest of us. It's been particularly tough seeing the rising cost of their £450-a-week food bill.
Noel says: “We have noticed the shopping bill especially (going up). We have altered the way we do that. We used to do it online and get it delivered. We don't do that now. You are better going to Aldi and shopping around.”
Shopping for bargains is estimated to save the couple at least £50 a week.
Several of the couple's older children have already flown the nest and have children of their own.
The full brood includes Chris, 35, Sophie, 31, Chloe, 29, Jack, 27, Daniel, 25, Luke, 24, Millie, 23, Katie, 22, James, 21, Ellie, 19, Aimee, 18, Josh, 17, Max, 16, Tillie, 14, Oscar, 13, Casper, 12, Hallie, nine, Phoebe, eight, Archie, seven, Bonnie, six, and Heidie, four. Sadly, the couple’s 17th child, Alfie, was stillborn on July 6, 2014.
Despite the Radfords cutting costs, Sue's invited all the children, their partners and all 11 grandchildren to join her on an Easter break to Disney World, Florida. She's been quiet on who's paying for what, but it's expected they'll film footage for the next series of their Channel 5 reality show, which may help shoulder some of the cost.
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The Radford Family)Image:
Sue Radford)The show's proving just as popular as it's always been with sixth series having just started last week. It's continuing every Sunday night and 8pm and Sue admits there's going to be plenty to get fans talking - including her first visit to a cosmetic surgery specialist.
She accompanied daughter Sophie but despite seeking advice for herself, soon decided it just wasn't for her.
“Sophie broke her nose when she was younger and it has always really bothered her," Sue explains. "So she had some kind of fillers and something to her lips done too.
"I just watched her! But I did think ‘Oh gawd, I don’t think I could ever do that’!.”
*22 Kids and A Wedding airs Sundays at 8pm on Channel 5. You can also download episodes on My5 hub. The Radfords' bookMaking Life Count, published by Mirror Books, is on sale now in hardback and will be available in paperback on February 13. Order your copy here
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