22 Kids and Counting will air an emotional tribute to a “beautiful” soul after a devastating loss. In tonight’s episode, Noel Radford joins his friend Jamie Walker on an “emotional journey of friendship, grief and hope” as they climb Ben More on the Isle of Mull in Scotland.
The climb honours Jamie’s daughter Sophie, who died almost two years ago. Sophie Walker passed away aged 17 in July 2024 after a seven-year battle with Wilms tumour, a rare form of kidney cancer, initially diagnosed in 2017 when she visited the doctor for what was thought to be a stomach bug.
Sophie’s battle and family statement
Sophie endured numerous rounds of chemotherapy and relapses during her illness. She left behind her family, including her twin sister Megan. At the time of her death, the Walkers released a statement saying “our world will never be the same again”.
The statement read: “Our beautiful, intelligent, funny, thoughtful and brave girl Sophie fell fast asleep last night just after 6.30pm with Megan lying by her side and surrounded by all her family. We love Sophie with all our hearts and our world will never be the same again, to say we are heartbroken is a complete understatement.”
What else happens in tonight’s episode
The Channel 5 docuseries returns tonight, Sunday, October 4, at 8pm, giving fans an update on what the UK’s largest family have been up to this year. Away from the show, Millie Radford welcomed her baby boy Cooper-Jax, while her younger sister Tillie Radford had a 10-hour operation to reconstruct her knee and lengthen her left leg.
22 Kids and Counting continues every Sunday at 8pm on Channel 5.
