Viewers of Channel 5's '22 Kids and Counting' have criticised the latest episode, accusing the show of being scripted. The reality series follows Sue and Noel Radford and their 22 children, with the episode focusing on daughter Millie and her husband Harley.
During the programme, Millie and Harley argued over Harley's desire to adopt Millie's daughter Ophelia, from a previous relationship. Millie was initially reluctant, leading Harley to storm out. However, many viewers took to social media to express their belief that the scenes were staged.
One viewer wrote on X: "Used to be great to watch and now it's so staged. Can't watch it anymore." Another commented: "my exact thoughts I don't know how others can't see how fake this is." A third added: "If her real dad isn't involved and you're raising 2 more kids with him then surely he's doing the best thing for her? Feels so set up recently."
Later in the episode, Harley was taken to hospital after Millie feared he had suffered a stroke. She told Sue on the phone: "One half of his face has all gone lopsided. It looks like he's had a stroke." The couple later discovered Harley had Bell's Palsy, a neurological disorder causing facial paralysis.
The health scare prompted Millie to change her mind about the adoption. She said: "It's made me change my mind, because if anything was to happen to Harley, I know that Ophelia would have loved Harley to be her dad." Some viewers expressed support for the adoption, with one writing: "I don't see the problem about harley adopting ophelia."
