I almost left Noel as we faced bankruptcy – the kids kept us together, says mum of Britain’s biggest family Sue Radford

SUE Radford has opened up on her and Noel’s desire to add to their family, as well as the bankruptcy that nearly led to divorce.

The mother of the UK’s largest family and star of Channel 5’s 22 Kids And Counting, told OK! about her and Noel’s love story, which began 35 years ago when they met as teenagers.

Mum-of-22 Sue Radford has opened up on the bankruptcy that rocked her and Noel's marriage, as well as their plans to extend their bumper broodCredit: Rex

The mother of Britain's largest family explained that they would love to adopt more children, as it's their kids that kept them together through time timesCredit: Channel 5

Sue explained that she and Noel are 'addicted' to having kidsCredit: C5

Not only this, but Sue, who became a parent during her teens, has revealed that she would actually love to extend her brood and adopt.

She explained: “We adore being surrounded by kids so I’d love to adopt or foster. We’re not having any more of our own so it’s definitely something we’d think about when ours are older.”

We’re addicted to children
Sue Radford

With another child about to leave the family's 10-bedroom home in Morecambe, the matriarch admitted that the family dynamic is changing.

The mum-of-22 shared: “When they started to move out it was hard as a mum and strange not to have them all together. I dread the thought of an empty nest but know it will happen one day.

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“But you can’t hold your kids back - when you love them you have to let them live their dreams.

Sue revealed that she and Noel initially planned to have just three children, but they are now ‘addicted’ to kids.

She added: “Looking at the size of our brood you’d think there’s been no family planning whatsoever! We’re proud to be Britain's biggest family but we’d only planned on having about three.

“We’re addicted to children but as addictions go, it’s not a bad one because it’s motivated by love. We have plenty to go round.”

The couple share Chris, 34, Sophie, 29, Chloe, 28, Jack, 26, Daniel, 24, Luke, 22, Millie, 22, Katie, 20, James, 19, Ellie, 18, Aimee, 17, Josh, 16, Max, 14, Tillie, 13, Oscar, 11, Casper, 10, Hallie, eight, Phoebe, seven, Archie, six, Bonnie, four, and Heidie, three.

They also lost a son, Alfie, who was stillborn in 2014.

Britain’s biggest family The Radford’s torn apart by huge decision that threatens to ‘split up the family’

But Sue, 48, who is now a grandma of 10, revealed that life for the Radfords hasn’t always been plain sailing.

Back in 2000, Sue and Noel expanded their already successful bakery business into new premises.

But when Foot and Mouth Disease hit the UK, the tourist trade plummeted and the venture failed, as Sue admitted they were faced with ‘‘losing everything’.

Bur marriage has always been strong - and having the kids kept us right
Sue Radford

Sue candidly shared: “We almost went bankrupt and thought we would lose the house. I just kept thinking, ‘There’s no way out of this, and I really don’t see how our marriage can survive.

“The whole thing took its toll on me and Noel. Looking back now, I can see that we would never, ever have called it a day but when you’re in that highly-pressurised moment it’s hard to see a way out .

“There were days when I’d think: ‘that’s it, I’m leaving the business and Noel, I just can’t do it anymore.’

“But our marriage has always been strong - and having the kids kept us right. We stuck together and got through it.

"It was sink or swim and we chose to swim. We paid off the debts and vowed we would never, ever be in that situation again.”

When it comes to their now 32 year marriage, Sue credits ‘teamwork’ as the basis of its success.