Mum-of-22 Sue Radford 'worried' about husband Noel as family could be in for unexpected change
WARNING: Contains spoilers for 22 Kids & Counting
Following last week's return of 22 Kids & Counting, fans were left concerned for the wellbeing of Sue and Noel Radford after hopes of acquiring their 'dream home' was dashed in a devastating blow.
And sadly, it looks as though the couple's misery is far from over as a teaser for Sunday's incoming episode (28 July) sees 53-year-old Noel plunged into a midlife crisis, and wife Sue, 49, forced to play catch-up.
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For those unfamiliar with the on-screen parenting duo, Sue and Noel are proud mum and dad to Britain's biggest family, having welcomed a staggering 22 children in their 35 year relationship.
And in the years since they first appeared on a Channel 4 documentary about some of the UK's heftiest broods, the Radfords have not only gone on to welcome several grandchildren, but to accumulate a colossal fan-base, all of whom are devoted to the apparent highs and lows of mega-parenting.
According to a screener of their show's forthcoming instalment, it looks as though there might be trouble in paradise for the much-loved family.
In the episode, dad Noel can be seen meeting up with a close friend whose children have recently flown the rest - and after hearing about the freedom of his fifties, Noel can't help but feel like he's missing out by putting his children first.
As a result, he shocks his wife by taking a huge step back from the family-run business - a pie factory in Morecambe - and leaving it to be run by two of his children, Chloe and Luke.
"Seeing my mates enjoy themselves is a real wake-up call," he tells viewers. "If I wait until all my kids have flown the nest, I'll be too old to do the things I want to do."
A visibly distressed Sue then tells viewers in an emotional confessional: "This is not like Noel at all. He tried to step back last year but he just couldn't do it.
"I am actually really worried about Chloe and Luke because they're just still rebuilding their relationship, and I really think they need their dad at the bakery to make sure that continues."
She continues: "[Noel is] normally the one that puts everyone first. What is happening to him?"
Elsewhere in the episode, Noel also joins a rambling club, leaving Sue to tend to their mega mansion single-handedly.
"I know Noel needs a bit of me time, but another pair of hands would be good," Sue also admits later in the episode. "[He's] never really changed much since I first met him. He's definitely very much a family man, loves to work hard and loves to support all of it."
She continues: "I am a bit worried this could be the start of a midlife crisis. It does make you think, 'Is he unhappy with his life, his big family, me?'."
And later, inspired by those with more independence in their lives, and after catching up with another childhood friend - who upped and emigrated to Australia years ago - Noel considers the possibility of moving the Radford family overseas.
"I think I'm just playing life too safely," he tells viewers. "I would love to chase my bigger dreams."
How will Sue take the news? Could she envisage life overseas to accommodate to Noel's wishes?
Guess we'll have to wait to find out...
22 Kids & Counting continues on Sunday, 28 July at 9pm on Channel 5.
Topics: Celebrity, Sue Radford, Radford Family, TV And Film
Rhianna Benson