Featured Image Credit: Instagram/@theradfordfamily
Topics: Sue Radford, Radford Family, UK News, Parenting, Money
Rhianna Benson
Topics: Sue Radford, Radford Family, UK News, Parenting, Money
In the weeks prior to inadvertently landing herself a fine for taking 21 of their 22 children on holiday to Disney World, Sue Radford seemingly attempted to justify the lavish trip.
For those unfamiliar with the Radford family, Sue and Noel are famously parents to Britain's largest family. They first found fame back in 2012, when Channel 4 bosses produced a documentary about the Morecambe, Lancashire couple's ever-growing brood. At the time, they had just 15 kids.
In the years since, not only did the pair welcome a further seven children, but their eldest kids have birthed a further 11 youngsters of their own.
Having finally stopped mass-producing, Sue and Noel are now mum and dad to sons Chris, 36, Jack, 28, Daniel, 26, Luke, 25, James, 21, Josh, 18, Max, 16, Oscar, 13, Casper, 13, Archie, eight, and had a stillborn son named Alfie in 2014.
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They also share daughters Sophie, 31, Chloe, 30, Millie, 24, Katie, 22, Ellie, 20, Aimee, 19, Tillie, 15, Hallie, 10, Phoebe, nine, Bonnie, six and Heidie, five.
The ginormous clan now star in the Channel 5 reality series 22 Kids and Counting.
More recently, the Radfords have been enjoying a break from filming. Unfortunately for the family, however, not too long ago, Sue and Noel found themselves in hot water with the law, after taking their children on a lavish trip Stateside.
Back in April, joined by all-but-one of their kids (with daughter Chloe remaining at home, expecting a child of her own at the time), as well as their grandbabies, the brood spent several days in Disney World, Florida.
It was understood that the couple had forked out a staggering £52,000 on flights and accommodation.
Apparently, however, it wasn't the staggering expenditure that saw Sue and Noel brought to Preston Magistrates Court recently, but the fact they'd removed four of their children from school for the sun-soaked vacation.
As if pre-empting the criticism they'd be subjected to, Sue previously told press of the importance of said trip, arranged to celebrate her 50th birthday.
"Turning 50 is such a big deal," she told The Mirror at the time. "I remember when I was 40 and that was a big deal. I absolutely hated it! So [this time], I said: "You know what, because I am turning 50, I am definitely having a whole year of celebrations!"
She went on to add: "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!"
Despite her justification, being that the UK's Department for Education last year introduced fines for parents who allow their children to miss over 10 school sessions (the equivalent to five days) for unauthorised reasons per year, she and husband Noel were forced to cough up £65 per child.
The pair were also forced to fund legal fees for the fiasco, taking their total bill to an agonising £756.