UK's Largest Family's Father Defends Age Of Parenthood For First Child

Noel Radford, father of the UK's largest family, speaks out on the age he and his wife became parents.

Davy

• Published in Interesting
• March 13, 2024

Noel Radford, patriarch of the UK's largest family, has stepped forward to defend the age at which he and his wife became parents to their first child among their brood of 22. Amidst public scrutiny, Radford offers insight into their decision, igniting a conversation on family planning and societal norms.

The patriarch of Britain's largest family has spoken out in defense of the age at which he and his wife began their journey of parenting their 22 children. Sue and Noel Radford hold the title for the country's most expansive family, having been married for over 30 years.

Appearing on reality TV to invite cameras into their family home, which was once a care facility, Sue and Noel Radford became the stars of "22 Kids & Counting". Originally featured on the show as "15 Kids and Counting" in 2012, the family has since expanded, with more members joining their merry brood over the years.

Today, Sue and Noel have released a book titled "The Radfords: Making Life Count", in which Noel addresses comments about the ages they were when they had their first child.

Sue was pregnant at the age of 13, while Noel was only 17 when he discovered he was going to become a father. This revelation garnered criticism when it surfaced during one of their reality shows. In their book, Noel candidly reflects on their youthfulness at the time, stating that they "were both just kids."

"In 'Making Life Count,' I addressed how inevitably people have discussed our situation, with it making its way into newspapers and social media conversations," he reflected.

"There's been a significant amount of attention on it, perhaps more so now than when it initially occurred. Numerous individuals have offered their opinions.

"However, it's essential to remember that we were both just kids. The age gap wasn't as significant as some may perceive it to be."

In his book, Noel reflected on how people have inevitably discussed their situation, with it being written about in newspapers and talked about on social media.

"There's been a significant amount of attention on it, perhaps more so now than when it initially occurred. Numerous individuals have offered their opinions.

"However, it's essential to remember that we were both just kids. The age gap wasn't as significant as some may perceive it to be."

The father-of-22 reflected on the absence of any dramatic consequences, stating, "There was no knock on the door saying I was in big trouble." He acknowledged the possibility that their doctor may have been obligated to report the situation, but noted, "There were no repercussions."

Elsewhere in the book, Sue and Noel share the story of their initial encounter, revealing that their paths crossed because Noel was friends with Sue's older brother. They emphasized their mutual desire to raise their child together, drawing strength from their own experiences of being adopted.

Their commitment to each other deepened over time, leading them to embark on the remarkable journey of expanding their family, ultimately welcoming 21 more children into their lives.

Davy