Mum-of-22 Sue Radford shares heartbreaking update about daughter Tillie as she reveals she needs even more operations

MUM-of-22 Sue Radford has given a heartbreaking update about daughter Tillie, revealing she needs even more operations on her leg.

Tilllie, 12, had to have a frame fitted in 2019 to lengthen her leg after it stopped growing due to a procedure she had at 18 months old.

The Radfords, who are Britain’s biggest family, have helped Tillie through the journey, but admitted 

In a Q&A on their channel this week, Sue said: “Somebody said ‘how is Tillie’s leg?’

“Tillie had a hospital appointment last week and had X-rays and different things on Thursday.”

Noel continued: “Her good leg has carried on growing and is now 35mm longer than her poorly leg.

“Her poorly leg, the bottom of bone, bottom of the shin bit, that has stopped growing, which we knew about it.

“But also when she had the frame on last time she fell over and broke her thigh bone, right through the growth plate if I remember rightly, which has now damaged that, so that has stopped growing as well.

“So the plan is she’s having the leg extension again.”

Noel said that because Tillie is bigger now, the process can be done internally.

He explained: “But luckily this time she is a lot bigger herself, she can have the internal one where there is no outer sprain, it’s all fastened to the bone on the inside under the skin and there is a remote control to use.

“Whereas before I used to turn the little bolts and screws on her exterior frame, this you just tap it like a chip and pin almost.”

Sue chimed in: “Basically Tillie’s knee - because the growth plate has stopped growing, it’s kind of an odd shape so they are planning on realigning it all with the knee.

“Then they’ll lengthen the bottom part of her leg and hopefully that will be it, she won’t need any more operations after that.”

Sue said the operation will last two to three hours on the knee to realign it and then doctors will need another three hours to do the leg lengthening.

The mum added: “She won’t be in hospital as long after as it’s all on the inside. 

“She won’t be able to walk on her leg because you can’t whilst it’s doing all that.”

Sue said her brave daughter will then need the frame on for about five or six months in total.

Another "surprise" situation Tillie is having to go through is with her shoe size.

Sue explained: “One of her feet is between two or three sizes smaller.

“We’ll have to get odd shoes made up.”

The family were hopeful that this situation would be behind them long ago, as when Sue was pregnant in 2019 she spoke about Tillie's leg and said: "Before you know it Tillie will be back on her feet on time for her next little sister’s arrival.”

Sue and Noel are parents to Chris, 33, Sophie, 29, Chloe, 27, Jack, 25, Daniel, 24, Luke, 22, Millie, 21, Katie, 19, James, 17, Ellie, 18, Aimee, 17, Josh, 15, Max, 14, Tillie, 12, Oscar, 11, Casper, 10, Hallie, eight, Phoebe, six, Archie, five, Bonnie, four, and Heidie, three.

Sadly the couple's 17th child Alfie was still born on July 6, 2014.

Sue’s daughter Millie has just announced she is expecting her third child, a baby girl.

Sue, 48, and Noel, 52, got hitched when Sue was 17 and say their marriage has never had any serious difficulties, despite the constant stream of children.

Noel underwent a vasectomy during the ninth pregnancy but then had it reversed. 

The couple have claimed Heidie is their last baby, after Sue has spent around 6,000 days of her life pregnant.

The family famously doesn’t rely on benefits and is supported by their pie shop business. 

The Radfords, who live in a 10-bed former care home, often show off their millionaire lifestyle on Instagram.