Sue Radford Confirms Daughter Sophie's Marriage Split After Decade
Sue Radford, the matriarch of Britain's largest family, has publicly confirmed that her eldest daughter, Sophie, has separated from her husband, Joe Bradley, following ten years of marriage. The television personality, aged fifty, who shares twenty-two children with her husband Noel Radford, fifty-five, disclosed that while the couple have decided to part ways, they are diligently "making things work with their three children."
Family Announcement and Emotional Insights
Speaking exclusively to The Mirror in anticipation of a new series of their family television programme, 22 Kids & Counting, Sue Radford offered a candid perspective on the situation. "Sadly, a lot of marriages do break down, and you can’t fix them," she stated. "They aren’t together anymore, but they are making it work with their three children." This revelation marks the first official public confirmation from Sophie and her parents regarding the conclusion of her marital relationship.
The forthcoming episode of their Channel 5 show is set to focus intimately on Sophie's separation from Joe Bradley. Sue expressed immense pride in her daughter's decision to share this personal journey on camera. "We are really proud of Sophie for sharing this on camera. She wanted to share how she was feeling and how she is feeling now," Sue elaborated. Reflecting on the lead-up to the split, both Sue and Noel acknowledged that the marital difficulties had been "brewing for a while." Sue noted, "Sophie couldn’t live like that anymore. She is definitely a lot happier now."
Parental Perspectives and Future Hopes
Noel Radford added his own thoughts, emphasising the family's long-standing connection to Joe Bradley and their genuine wish for his happiness as well. When questioned about the potential for Sophie to embark on a new romantic relationship in the future, Sue indicated that her daughter is currently in "no rush." She explained that Sophie is presently focused on establishing a stable routine as a single mother. However, both parents conveyed that they would welcome seeing her with a new partner when she feels ready to pursue another relationship.
Sue and Noel Radford are renowned as parents to Britain's most extensive family. Their twenty-two children include:
- Chris, 36
- Sophie, 32
- Chloe, 30
- Jack, 28
- Daniel, 26
- Luke, 25
- Millie, 24
- Katie, 23
- James, 22
- Ellie, 20
- Aimee, 19
- Josh, 18
- Max, 17
- Tillie, 15
- Oscar, 14
- Casper, 13
- Hallie, 10
- Phoebe, nine
- Archie, eight
- Bonnie, seven
- Heidie, five
Tragically, the couple's seventeenth child, Alfie, was stillborn on July 6, 2014.
Financial Success and Business Ventures
This personal family update coincides with significant financial developments for the Radford family. Recent reports indicate that Sue and Noel have successfully tripled their wealth through diverse business endeavours, achieving a reported net worth of approximately £975,000 as of February 2025. Supporting their substantial family requires considerable resources, prompting the entrepreneurial pair to cultivate multiple income streams over the years.
The Lancashire-based family's prosperity stems from several key ventures:
- Filming six seasons of their popular Channel 5 documentary series, 22 Kids And Counting.
- Securing lucrative book deals related to their family life.
- Operating their successful online pie business, Radford's Pie Company, located near their home in Morecambe.
Official documents from Companies House reveal a remarkable financial trajectory for their company, TRF21 Limited, which provides media representation services. In the 2024 financial year, the company's net worth experienced a staggering 493 per cent increase. This growth resulted in capital and reserves of £124,647, alongside £78,695 allocated for future liabilities.
Similarly, Radford's Pie Company demonstrated impressive expansion, with its value surging by 177 per cent in the 2024 financial year—rising from £28,470 in capital and reserves in 2023 to £78,837. Additional revenue is generated through social media partnerships, brand collaborations, and other commercial activities. While Sue has previously expressed reluctance about the "influencer" label, the family's substantial online presence has undoubtedly become a vital component of their overall financial strategy.
Despite occasional public scrutiny regarding their lifestyle expenditures—such as spending an estimated £7,000 during the Christmas period—both Sue and Noel have consistently maintained that they are "not wealthy." Their focus remains on providing for their extensive family while navigating the complexities of life in the public eye, as evidenced by this latest personal chapter concerning their daughter Sophie.
