Sue and Noel Radford have welcomed the newest member of Britain's biggest family. The mum-of-22, aged 51, and her husband Noel, 55, cradled baby Cooper-Jax in a photo shared on the family's Instagram page, delighting fans of their Channel 5 series.
The newborn, known simply as Cooper, was born in September 2026. He is the fourth child of Millie Radford, the 25-year-old seventh-eldest of Sue and Noel's children. Cooper-Jax joins siblings Ophelia, 6, Chester, 4, and Elodie, 3. Millie shares Chester, Elodie, and baby Cooper-Jax with husband Harley Passmore, while Ophelia is from a previous relationship.
Speedy arrival and fan reactions
Cooper arrived after a two-hour labour, weighing 7lb 8oz. In the Instagram photo, Sue and Noel grinned at the camera while seated on a sofa, cradling the baby.
The caption read: "We got to meet little Cooper on Friday oh my goodness what a little cutie he is. It was so sweet seeing all the children take it in turns for cuddles which he will never be short of."
Fans were thrilled, with the post amassing more than 16,000 likes. One wrote: "Congratulations to you all." Another added: "Congrats to Millie and Harley!" A third said: "Aww! How sweet! Cooper will be so loved." Numerous others asked which number Radford Cooper was.
Family size and recent history
The immediate Radford family now comprises 39 primary members: Sue and Noel, their 22 children, and 15 grandchildren following Cooper's arrival. Tragically, their 17th child, Alfie, was stillborn in 2014, though he remains lovingly remembered and counted by the family.
Cooper's birth came during a high-profile period for the family. Episodes of 22 Kids and Counting documented a turbulent chapter and brief separation between Millie and Harley. The couple has since reunited and welcomed their baby boy together.
A previous storyline featured Harley's desire to legally adopt Ophelia. Millie was already expecting Ophelia when she and Harley began their relationship, and Ophelia's biological father is entirely absent from their lives. Harley has brought up Ophelia as his own daughter since she was a baby. The adoption matter triggered considerable emotional strain at the time, as Millie initially harboured concerns about how to discuss Ophelia's biological father with her as she matured. Despite the legal complications, Harley serves as a father to all four children.
No more children for Sue and Noel
Sue and Noel have ruled out having another baby. Speaking to Mirror, Sue addressed persistent questions about baby number 23 by stating, "No, definitely not now."
The couple have revealed they are perfectly happy with their 22 children and are now turning their attention to their wellbeing and embracing life as grandparents. Sue recently hit a "turning point" after turning 50, embarking on a health and fitness overhaul that resulted in her shedding three stone, a journey documented on their television programme. Their youngest child, Heidi, aged 6, remains the last addition to the family.
