Sue Radford, mother of Britain’s biggest family, has welcomed their 20th baby and vowed that their 11th son is their last
BRITAIN’S biggest family have welcomed baby number 20 — and vowed the little boy is their last.
Sue Radford, 42, gave birth to 8lb 6oz Archie on Monday after an hour’s labour.
Husband Noel, 46, revealed he won’t have the snip again — despite them stopping at their 11th son — after having his previous operation reversed during her ninth pregnancy.
Sue, who gets no state handouts apart from child benefit, said: “We’re happy to be finishing on a nice even number.
“I’m just chuffed he is here safe and sound.
“It’s strange knowing you’re not going to have any more.
“Our daughter Chloe said: ‘I believe you now.’ I don’t think she has before, but because I’ve said (this is the last) a few times now she does.”
Pie firm boss Noel added: “It was going to end at some point.
"We both think this is it. I feel sad in a way but now we can get on and enjoy the kids.”
Archie joins Chris, 28, Sophie, 23, Chloe, 22, Jack, 20, Daniel, 18, Luke and Millie 16, Katie, 14, James, 13, Ellie, 12, Aimee, 11, Josh, ten, Max, eight, Tillie, seven, Oscar, five, Casper, four, Hallie, two, and Phoebe, 13 months.
Sue lost a boy Alfie when 23 weeks’ pregnant in 2014.
The couple are also grandparents to Sophie’s three children.
This time Sue was induced two weeks early at Royal Lancaster Infirmary.
She said: “I had about an hour of contractions, a few pushes and he was out.
“I managed on gas and air. But the pain is still just as intense so glad he was out.
“I can’t fault the hospital. All the midwives know me now.”
Noel had a vasectomy during Sue’s ninth pregnancy. But he had it reversed when the couple longed for more children.
He said: “Having it reversed is worse than going in the first time. I won’t be going back again. We’ll work something out.”
The children chose “Archie” after Sue and Noel ran out of ideas for names. The siblings were thrilled when Archie came home to Morecambe on Tuesday.
Sue added: “They love him to bits already. They sat on the sofa lining up for a cuddle. He’ll never be short of a hug.”
Sue and Noel were both given up for adoption at birth.
She fell pregnant with Chris at just 14 in 1989 and was determined to keep the baby. The couple wed four years later.
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Noel said: “We set out to maybe have three children but enjoyed having the kids around so just carried on.
“We’re addicted to having all these kids. We just love it.”
The Radfords, who starred in the Channel 4’s 16 Kids and Counting four years ago, live in a ten-bedroom house, which cost £240,000 in 2004.
The family drink 18 pints of milk and three litres of juice a day and eat three boxes of cereal at breakfast.
Their supermarket trips cost £250 a week and they have outgrown their 15-seater minivan.
Noel said: “The older ones don’t want to be coming out with mum and dad anymore. They do their own thing.”
Sue added: “Not all big families are on benefits. Most work very hard for what they’ve got.”
This time the Radfords bought a few clothes and a cuddly toy for Archie.
His name and birthday will be added to a living room poster featuring all the kids.
Sue laughed: “I know all the dates but Noel struggles. I think men are bit rubbish at that.”
She is now looking forward to not being pregnant, adding: “I’ve definitely been more tired this time.
Hallie is like a whirlwind and Phoebe follows in her shadow. They’re double trouble.”
