The mum of Britain’s biggest family, Sue Radford, may have a staggering 22 children but her clan is likely to get bigger once more of the brood start having their own kids.
Currently Sue and husband Noel have nine grandkids and have offered them a special gift for every single one, which they might come to regret as they could end up having more than 60 grandchildren.
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.
But speaking exclusively to The Mirror, Sue defended her plans to go all out for the big ‘5-0’ on March 22, and has already started planning how she can soften the blow as she enters her fifth decade.
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Instagram)Sue told The Mirror: “Turning 50 is such a big deal. I remember when I was 40 and that was a big deal. I absolutely hated it, but turning 50, I said: ‘because I am turning 50, I am definitely having a whole year of celebrations!’”
She burst into laughter and turned to her husband of 32 years, Noel, grinning as she declared: “No pressure! But I think if you are going to turn 50, to soften the blow a little bit, it’s got to be big…It will be nice to do a few things!”
To celebrate, the whole family will be going on a huge trip to Disney in Florida, including children: 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.
Her eleven grandchildren will also be joining Sue and Noel on the big birthday holiday. She excitedly revealed: “We are going to do a big 50th holiday with all the kids and the grandkids, going to Disney. We will go in the Easter break. The kids all love it and the grandkids do too.”
But alone time with Noel is also important, she added, saying: “But we are going to do a holiday just the two of us as well. That will be nice.”
Each grandchild had been gifted a pram from grandparents Sue and Noel who said they would carry on the tradition - but it may end up being an expensive gift, as they could have a huge brood of grandkids.
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theradfordfamily/Instagram)Still, Sue prides herself on being very fair with all her kids and grandkids, and the couple say they try to be careful when it comes to other expenditure – especially their children’s weddings. This Sunday will see the second instalment of Millie and Harley’s wedding ceremony that took place late last year.
The show reveals the logistics of getting all the children ready in time which has proved to be a challenge in itself. “The girls had to get up at 6.30am in order to be ready,” Sue said. “There were about 16 bridesmaids too! But it was such a lovely day and I cried when I watched Sunday’s episode again. But we have now said: ‘please no more weddings for at least a few years’.”
Dad Noel he got a little teary eyed, saying: “It is one of the proudest things you can do walking your daughter down the aisle".
Noel has keept coy about what he is getting the matriarch but revealed he definitely started thinking about ideas.
But no beauty treatments seem to be on Sue's wish list as she revealed she sought advice from beauty experts during a trip to a salon with her eldest daughter, Sophie. The trip is featured on the new series of the couple’s hit Channel 5 series, this time entitled 22 Kids and A Wedding, that airs on Sundays at 8pm.
22 Kids and A Wedding airs Sundays at 8pm on Channel 5. You can also download episodes on My5 hub. The Radfords book Making 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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