Latest news with #22KidsAndCounting
The Sun
18-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Katie Radford rushes 9-month-old baby to hospital & shares reminder to parents to ‘always listen to gut' after diagnosis
KATIE Radford has rushed her nine-month-old baby to hospital and shared a very important reminder to all parents. Just days after the 22-year-old broke her silence on her split from her father's child Connor Carter, the mum-of-one urgently rang 111 for advice regarding her ill child. 10 10 10 Nine months after giving birth to her 'absolute dream baby', Katie noticed her son Ronnie Hudson Carter, who was born on 8th October 2024, was 'unsettled.' And after 'being sent to hospital ' and her son receiving a shocking diagnosis, Katie, who is a member of Britain's Biggest Family and stars in the hit Channel 5 show 22 Kids & Counting, has urged parents to 'always listen to your gut.' Posting on social media, on her Instagram stories, the brunette, who found out she was pregnant after being with Connor for six years, uploaded a snap of her youngster in a hospital bed. Alongside the picture, the eighth Radford child penned: 'Thank you everyone for all your messages. 'I rang 111 as he was so unsettled this morning, nothing would calm him down other than a bath.' Alongside a crying emoji, she continued: 'They have said he's got shingles.' Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. While it's more common in adults, babies and children can also get it. It's caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person has chickenpox, the virus can lie dormant in their nervous system and later reactivate as shingles. Mum-of-22 Sue Radford MISSED 'scared' 21-year-old daughter's birth as Noel booked posh Dubai break at £400 a night hotel Following this, the third eldest Radford daughter shared a message for parents, as she warned: 'Let this be your reminder to ALWAYS listen to your gut. 'I [saw] two doctors and got told it was nothing. 'Then after today being sent to hospital they've said it's shingles!!!' Can babies get shingles? IT is more common for babies to have chickenpox, and while they can get shingles, it is rare. For a baby to get shingles, they must have had chickenpox in the past (even in the womb), or they were exposed to the virus during pregnancy or shortly after birth. If the baby's mother had chickenpox late in pregnancy, the baby may have been exposed and developed a mild case, allowing the virus to lie dormant. If a baby got chickenpox in early infancy, the virus could later reactivate as shingles. Signs of shingles in babies include; a localised rash on one side of the body, often in a stripe pattern; blisters that scab over in seven to 10 days and pain or irritability, although babies can't express nerve pain clearly. Chicken pox vs Shingles In the UK, chickenpox is particularly common in childhood. According to the UK Health Security Agency, about half of children have had chickenpox by age 4, and 90% by age 10. While most cases occur in children, infants under four weeks old are at higher risk for complications. But when it comes to shingles in young children, according to Pharmacy Times, for every 1,000 children observed over the course of one year, about 0.74 cases of shingles occur. Katie's sly dig Katie's post regarding her son's rush to hospital and shock diagnosis comes just nine days after she shared a sly dig online about people making 'no effort.' After removing all trace of her child's father from her Instagram and sparking concern amongst fans that she and Connor had separated, Katie posted a brutal poke at those who haven't been present with her son. Posting on TikTok, Katie uploaded a video with the caption 'Only them missing out not Ron ❤️.' Alongside the clip, she wrote: 'One of the most hurtful things as a mum is seeing people who you thought would see your kid all the time make little to no effort.' 10 10 Shortly after posting the 31-second clip, Katie confirmed: 'Just to clarify this isn't about his dad, he still sees his dad 🥰.' Connor Carter then flocked to the comments and wrote: 'Only needs the people who bother.. he won't be missing out on anything/anyone. 'My little man will be surrounded by the ones he needs💙' The discussion on Katie and Connor's split began back in May, when the Radford family spent time in Florida on an extravagant £52,000 family trip to celebrate Sue Radford 's 50th birthday. The Lancashire-based brood had a sun-soaked extravaganza in the US and alongside the Radford youngsters, Millie was joined by her husband Harley Passmore. Katie posed on the beach whilst on the trip, but Connor was nowhere to be seen in snaps shared on the family's Instagram account. Connor's fears on being a "young dad" Not only this, but previously, on an episode of the family's TV show, emotional scenes documented the moment then 21-year-old Connor found out he was going to become a father. Clearly in disbelief, Connor admitted: 'I didn't think I'd ever be a young dad…scared.' To this, Katie recognised: 'It is a big change. I'm scared. I don't think anyone's ever ready for a kid.' 10 10 Connor then confessed: 'I don't really do well with change, I don't like it. I'm still a kid, I've not grown up yet. 'I don't think I'm ready now, I don't think in five years time I'd be ready, but it's something that's going to have to change really. And whilst pram shopping with dad-of-22 Noel, 54, Connor explained: 'I can't imagine pushing a pram, it just feels a bit weird. The Radford Family's TV history THE first ever episode of 22 Kids and Counting aired on Channel 5 on 22nd February, 2021. After the first series - which had just four episodes in it - performed well, Channel 5 commissioned a 10-episode second season, which was broadcast in 2022. They went on to commission a third series, which included a Christmas special aired in December 2023. The fourth season began airing in January 2024, but fans were left disappointed when it stopped after six episodes. Sue and Noel reassured viewers that they were just taking a little break, and the next episode will be airing on 21st July. You can catch up on all previous episodes of 22 Kids and Counting on My 5, here. 'I thought I was a few years off this yet. Didn't expect it to be honest. 'I didn't ever think I'd be here to be honest, not for a few years. "Gonna have a lot of responsibility and I don't like having it.'
Daily Mail
18-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Heartbreak for Britain's biggest family as Katie Radford, 22, begs for help after baby son has mystery illness - as she hits out at doctors for dismissing it as 'nothing'
Katie Radford has revealed her baby son was worryingly sick with a mystery illnes. The daughter of parents-of-22 Sue and Noel Radford, from Morecambe, Lancashire, gave birth to her first child, Ronnie Hudson Carter, in October last year. But Katie - who has starred on the Channel 5 show 22 Kids & Counting - took to Instagram to beg for help after she noticed that something wasn't quite right with her baby son. She called NHS number 111 to ask for advice on what her son's worrying symptoms could be, after Ronnie wasn't 'calming down'. Katie said on her Instagram story: 'Thank you everyone for all your messages. I rang 111 as he was so unsettled this morning, nothing would calm him down other than a bath.' She said he was later diagnosed with shingles, which is an infection that causes a painful rash. The NHS advises people to ring 111 or get advice from their pharmacist 'as soon as possible' if they suspect someone has shingles. However, Katie also hit out at two medics who told her that Ronnie's symptoms were 'nothing'. She said: 'Let this be your reminder to always listen to your gut. I've seen two doctors and got told it was nothing and then after today being sent to the hospital and [they've] said it's shingles!!!' The mother-of-one shared the alarming statement on Instagram alongside a picture of her son resting in bed. Although the rash cannot be passed to others, they might catch chickenpox as shingles is caused by the same virus. The NHS therefore recommends that those with shingles to avoid coming in contact with anyone who is pregnant, has a weakened immune system, babies less than one month old or people who have not had chickenpox before. Noel first found out their daughter Katie was pregnant after he discovered a positive test in the family home and realised that it must belong to Katie. At the same time, Noel was planning to whisk Sue away for their 32nd wedding anniversary and accidentally booked a holiday abroad which coincided with Katie's due date. Their trip to Dubai fell three weeks before Katie gave birth. However, Ronnie was born early while Sue and Noel were on the flight from Manchester to Dubai, which meant they missed the birth of their grandchild. At the beginning of a 22 Kids and Counting episode, Katie and Connor are seen struggling to navigate the life-changing news that they are expecting their first child. The discovery is a shock to Katie, who hadn't planned to fall pregnant with her partner of six years. WHAT IS SHINGLES? Shingles is an infection that causes a painful rash. The first signs of shingles can be: A tingling or painful feeling in an area of skin A headache or feeling generally unwell A rash will usually appear a few days later. In rare cases shingles can cause pain without a rash. Usually the rash appears as blotches on the chest and tummy but it can appear anyway on the body, including on your face, eyes and genitals. Source: NHS Described as the 'most predictable couple' in the family, the two are shocked to find out that their family is about to become three. 'Me and Connor, we like a simple life,' says Katie. 'No surprises, I like to know I'm doing. Me and Connor do like a routine.' Connor adds: 'I feel like I'm still a kid. I know I'm not but I still act like a kid. I've not grown up yet,' said the hopeful but anxious father-to-be. But Katie made up for Connor's uncertainty. 'He might have doubt but I don't. Connor, you're going to be an amazing dad,' she says in a heartfelt scene. And fears quickly turn to excitement when the couple when the couple has their first scan. 'She could go weeks before and that would be when we're out there,' Sue worries. Trying to reassure her, Noel says: 'It's the first one, they never come early do they. Everything has been booked and paid for - flights, hotels, airport transfer. Don't flap, we'll be fine.' But things quickly turn sour as Sue insists 'we can't go', arguing she doesn't 'feel comfortable' making the journey as such a time. With Katie's seal of approval, the couple decide to embark on the adventure anyway - but Sue's worst fears are realised when her 22-year-old daughter goes into labour while she and Noel are on the flight to Dubai. In a tense scene, a panicked Katie calls Connor and says: 'I can't get through to mum and dad, none of my messages are delivering. I'm absolutely petrified.' With her parents having just arrived in Dubai, Katie fears that her mother won't be there for the birth. Immediately jumping on the next flight, Sue and Noel head back towards the airport to return home for the birth of their grandchild. However, by the time the couple lands back in Manchester, baby Ronnie Hudson has already arrived. Arriving back too late for hospital visits, Sue and Noel head back to the family home where they attempt to get some rest before meeting the baby. The next morning, Sue reveals she was 'tossing and turning all night' with excitement for meeting the baby. In a heartwarming moment, Sue finally has the chance to meet the little one. 'I was barely still awake but when I held him for the first time, all that stress of getting back on the flight and everything, was so worth it,' she recalls. 'You don't get those moments again,' adds Noel. 'Bringing a baby into the Radford house, it didn't feel real that it was me and not somebody else - or my mum,' Katie says.
Daily Mail
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Mum of Britain's biggest family Sue Radford reveals the heartbreaking reason she'll NEVER try to track down her birth mother
The mum of Britain's biggest family, Sue Radford, has revealed the heartbreaking reason why she never wants to search for her birth mum. On Tuesday, Noel admitted he'd secretly met up with his biological mother for the first time in January after being given up for adoption at just ten days old. It followed a two-year search to find her. But Sue, 50 – also adopted and who lives in Morecambe with Noel and their 22 children - never wants to track her birth mum down. And in emotional scenes airing on Sunday when the Radford's 22 Kids And Counting returns to 5 for a new series, she reveals the tragic stillbirth of her 17th child, Alfie, in July 2014 has made her vow never to embark on a search. The proud mum of 22 children tells the programme: 'I can't put myself in my birth mother's position because I would never give a child up. 'As a mother, you have that child inside you for nine months, you grow that child, then you give birth to that child. And in emotional scenes airing on Sunday when the Radford's '22 Kids and Counting' returns to 5 for a new series, she reveals the tragic stillbirth of her 17th child, Alfie, in July 2014 has made her vow never to embark on a search 'For me I just could never imagine ever giving that child over.' Going on to explain why the loss of Alfie has made her more resolute than ever, she added: 'I didn't feel quite so strongly about not ever finding my birth parents until we did go through the loss of losing Alfie. 'When you do lose a child, you don't have that option, you don't have that option to give the child away for adoption. 'The choice was taken away from you because that child is gone. When we did lose Alfie, it definitely changed my mindset on adoption. 'My mum and dad are my mum and dad and that's it. I just never want to find anything out about my birth parents but that is just how I feel. 'Obviously Noel doesn't feel like that and our attitudes towards birth parents for children who have been adopted are obviously very different.' Sue admits their opposing stances on finding their birth parents has caused disagreements. She tells 22 Kids and Counting: 'It has caused a few disagreements with me and Noel. We both have very different opinions about our birth parents. 'Noel has always been the person whose adoption has always bothered him. 'He really has found the need to know more but for me, I've always been the total opposite, I've never felt the need to ever do that, and never felt the need I wanted to do that.' But she insists she has never once stood in his way. Sue, married to Noel for 32 years, tells the TV series: 'Because he feels very strongly about doing this then he has to do it regardless of what I think about finding my birth parents. 'But it has been quite difficult for me.' On Tuesday, Noel admitted meeting his birth mum had been emotional. 'And whilst he enjoyed getting to know her a bit better, he stressed it would never lead to a close relationship because he had and always would regard his adoptive parents as his parents. He explained: 'For me, my mum and dad are my mum and dad. She gave birth to me – but that's it.' He added: 'My mum (who sadly died five years ago) was always very open. I could ask her anything, she wouldn't judge you, she would give you her honest opinion. 'I think if she was here today, she would have thought me going looking for my mum was the right thing to do. 'I am also very thankful to Sue she has seen it through with me.' Also during the first programme of the new series, the adoption expert, Glesni Evans, who helped Noel track down his birth mum, does admit the fact the couple have such different stances makes them unique. She tells the series: 'Noel and Sue's situation is very unique. 'I have never had a situation where both people were adopted and one wants to search for their birth family and the other doesn't. 'I can imagine it can be quite challenging.' Sue and Noel are parents to 22 children - Chris, 36, Sophie, 31, Chloe, 29, Jack, 28, Daniel, 26, Luke, 24, Millie, 23, Katie, 22, James, 21, Ellie, 20, Aimee, 19, Josh, 18, Max, 16, Tillie, 15, Oscar, 13, Casper, 12, Hallie, 10, Phoebe, eight, Archie, seven, Bonnie, six and Heidie, five. Sadly, the couple's 17th child, Alfie, was stillborn on July 6 2014.
South Wales Guardian
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Everything you can expect from 22 Kids and Counting specials
So far, the Radfords have seen some of their older children move into adulthood, forcing them to deal with new challenges. However, the two special episodes will see father Noel make serious headway in his years-long quest to track down his birth mother. A post shared by Mirror Books (@ After hiring an adoption specialist to help him out, an emotional reunion is finally within touching distance. However, this three-year journey has started to unearth hidden fears and insecurities in Noel. His many attempts to reach out and make contact in the past have been fruitless, leaving the 22 Kids and Counting star gutted. Despite being the closest he has ever been to meeting his mother, this progress has come with a number of consequences, according to TV Zone. While Sue was also adopted, she has no interest in meeting her parents, leading to fears from Noel that he risks alienating his family in Morecambe if he goes through with the meetup. In the second special, the couple will drop everything to comfort some close friends in Scotland when their teenage daughter passes away. But after years of trying to keep things together closer to home, they will have their work cut out for them when they try and help Jamie and Rebecca through their "worst nightmare". A post shared by Radford Family (@theradfordfamily) The Radford family have 22 children, according to the Radford Fan Wiki. 22 Kids and Counting: How many children are in the Radford family? Emmerdale's John Middleton joins rival soap to play 'most evil character ever' 'Dire' storyline Emmerdale fans want done as it's 'a waste of good characters' 22 Kids And Counting returns to Channel 5 on Sunday, July 20 at 8pm.
The Sun
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Sue Radford delights fans & reveals TV series is coming back to screens with epic twist – & it's just round the corner
SUE and Noel Radford's TV show has been a huge hit with fans and now, it is set to return to screens in just days time. After months of people questioning when 22 Kids & Counting would return to screens, the parents-of-22 have finally set the record straight. 6 6 6 6 The parents of Britain's biggest family have left fans delighted after announcing the return of their reality series - and it's in less than a week's time. Posting on social media on the family's official Instagram page, Sue beamed: '**EXCITING NEWS ** We are back for a new series of 22 Kids & Counting.' Sue then confirmed: '20th July 8pm Channel 5. 'We cannot wait to share what we've been up to.' The most recent series of the Radford show documented Katie's pregnancy journey and Millie's wedding, as well as Sue and Noel's hunt for a bigger house for their ever-growing family. But the upcoming series of 22 Kids & Counting is set to be back with an epic twist - as Noel explores more into finding his real mother, following his adoption at just ten days old in January 1971. The first episode of the new series is titled 'Finding Mum: 50 Years Apart' and will delve deeper into Noel's background. But Sue, who was also adopted as a baby, has revealed that the new series won't see her search for more detail about her past. The family's matriarch confirmed the search will only be about Noel's past life, as she admitted: 'I'd never do it as you will see very different sides of adoption in this episode.' As well as this, the Radford family have also been on a number of holidays recently, including Sue's lavish £52,000 Florida birthday trip and numerous motorhome trips, which fans are sure to see documented in the upcoming series. Sue & Noel Radford take fans behind-the-scenes and reveal 'busy' & 'exciting' days ahead with major project for February The newest series is also expected to cover some big changes in the family's life, including Chloe Radford giving birth to her second child. The Instagram announcement of the show's return has clearly left many overjoyed, as the post has quickly amassed over 2,500 likes. How does family-of-22 the Radfords afford to live? AS Britain's biggest family, it may come as no surprise that Sue and Noel Radford must have some hefty bills. Between them, they have a whopping 22 children and seven dogs, which often has some people wonder how they manage their money. The Radfords support themselves with the proceeds of Noel's bakery, The Radford Pie Company, which is located near their home. On their website, it says: 'We have owned our own lovely bakery since 1999 which is how we manage to provide for (and feed) our huge and expanding family as well as for the local people of Heysham and Morecambe.' The family expanded their business to cater to online orders placed across the UK. The business is a family affair, with Noel at the helm, and some of their children helping out. The older kids, who are working at least part-time, don't get a free ride as they're made to pay a small amount of rent to their parents. "Us older ones do pay a little bit of board. Granted it's not a lot but I'm also trying to save up for my own house at the moment.' their daughter Chloe said in a video on the YouTube channel. Sue added: "We've always said if you want to buy somewhere, renting is a bit of dead money, so we'd rather you saved that money up and stayed at home a bit longer. 'I also do believe they should pay board if they are earning. We've always been brought up by our parents that we had to pay board.' Noel and Sue famously don't rely on benefits for their bumper brood and live off their pie shop for income. They also revealed they make money from brand partnerships on social media. The Radford family stars in their own reality TV show 22 Kids and Counting - which has run for four series. Brand expert Andy Barr believes Noel and Sue have been paid less than £10,000 for each show. He told the Daily Mail: "The typical fee per episode is going to be in the thousands rather than the tens or hundreds of thousands that people often think is the case with TV shows of this nature. "If they continue to get commissioned for a fourth or fifth season, then they are going to be able to command a higher fee." He estimates that the Radfords make £ 5,000 an episode. Not only this, but numerous Radford fans eagerly raced to the comments to share their excitement at the show's return. One person said: 'Can't wait!' Another added: 'YES I'VE BEEN WAITING SO LONG FOR THIS.' The Radford Family's TV history THE first ever episode of 22 Kids and Counting aired on Channel 5 on 22nd February, 2021. After the first series - which had just four episodes in it - performed well, Channel 5 commissioned a 10-episode second season, which was broadcast in 2022. They went on to commission a third series, which included a Christmas special aired in December 2023. The fourth season began airing in January 2024, but fans were left disappointed when it stopped after six episodes. Sue and Noel reassured viewers that they were just taking a little break, and the next episode will be airing on 21st July. You can catch up on all previous episodes of 22 Kids and Counting on My 5, here. Meanwhile, someone else wrote: 'I will definitely be catching up.' Not only this, but another Raford fan beamed: 'That's good news. "Can't wait to see you guys on TV again.' 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