The father of Britain's biggest family has revealed his plans to take a step back from work so he can have more 'me time'.
Noel Radford, 53, who runs a pie shop near his family's 10-bedroom Lancashire home, told his wifeSue Radford, 49, that he would be working 'one or two days a week' so that he could start 'enjoying life'.
The father of Britain's 'biggest family' announced the decision during an episode of their Channel 5 reality show, 22 Kids and Counting, and shared a short clip of the conversation to Instagram.
The video captured the famous couple dressed in pyjamas and laying in bed at theirVictorian home in Morecambe, as they discussed their future and his 'midlife crisis'.
Father-of-22, Noel Radfordhas revealed he'll be taking a step back from work duties so he can have more 'me time' (pictured: Noel and his wife Sue Radford on their reality show, 22 Kids and Counting)
Noel told his wife that he would now be working 'one or two days a week' so that he can start 'enjoying life' (pictured: the couple on holiday in the Maldives)
He began: 'I've been talking to some people recently and sort of looking at their lifestyle and how their kids have grown up and they're enjoying life.
'You know going off and doing their things days out and whatever... I think I need to start doing that.
'So what I'm going to do... I'm going to work a day or two a week'.
At this point Sue glared at her husband and appeared confused and perplexed, saying: 'Are you?'
'And that's it. Yeah', he confirmed. Sue asked again: 'So what you're actually going to take a step back?'
'Yeah, it's me time' said Noel.
The clip ended with Sue taking a deep breath and rolling her eyes, seemingly in disbelief at Noel's announcement.
The Radfords have come a long way from their former days of financial hardship and strict £250 budget weekly shops to become one of Britain's most famous families.
Noel announced the shocking decision during an episode of the family's Channel 5 reality show, 22 Kids and Counting
In the video, the famous couple can be seen dressed in pyjamas and laying in bed at their Victorian home in Morecambe, as they discuss their future
The proud parents of 22 now boast a much more lavish lifestyle, following years of graft at the family's pie business and numerous influencing and TV gigs.
In fact Noel appeared in court in May this year over charges of speeding in a Porsche. He was accused of driving over the 40mph speed limit along the Bay Gateway link road in Morecambe on December 14 last year. He was also charged with failing to give information relating to the identification of the driver of a Porsche.
Fansmay be surprised that Noel can afford to get around in such style - especially considering they once revealed they had to stick to a strict budget of £25 per week in order to get by.
They've also been known to travel in luxury, as in February this year, the Radfords were seen travelling in style in their £40,000 motorhome, even declaring it the 'best thing' they had ever purchased.
Noel, 53, and Sue, 49, have welcomed 22 children together over the past 34 years. The couple are pictured with 19 of their children in their Morecambe home following the birth of their daughter Heidie in April 2020
Noel Radford heads a pie shop near his family's 10-bedroom Lancashire home
Noel and Sue have also purchased a hot tub - reportedly worth £27,000 - which is installed in their garden. They also spent a further £7,000 on Christmas presents in 2022.
Meanwhile in September 2023, the Radfords said they were 'recharging' at a 'lovely weekend away' just weeks after returning from a whopping £60,000 break to Florida. The holiday would mark the family's 18th vacation in 20 months.
Perhaps the father-of-22 has requested a well-deserved step back after putting in the laborious work to afford such a grand lifestyle.
However some may argue that paid Instagram posts, YouTube adverts and well-compensated TV shows are hardly the stuff of strenuous labour.
The news comes as the father of Britain's 'biggest family' has undergone a 'midlife crisis' in the latest episode of 22 Kids and Counting.
Noel Radford lamented on missing out on his old life dream, being a lorry driver in Australia - and even took his wife Sue on a trip to Dubai in an attempt to persuade her to relocate the family.
Noel Radford appeared in court in May this year over charges of speeding (pictured: a photo taken inside Noel's Porsche dating back to 2021)
It's a wonder how the Radfords are able to afford their luxurious way of life, which includes this trip to Disney World, Florida - which allegedly cost £60,000
Kicking off the episode, the family patriarch decided to go on a hike with fellow parents in a similar age group.
However, unlike the Radfords, they have had to adjust to their children leaving the house.
With 18 kids still under his roof, Noel admitted that 'it's always been work and family, that's it'.
'My hobbies stopped really when I took over the bakery,' he told the group. 'I think when you're busy working and busy looking after 20 odd kids, you forget about it and the time flashes by and it's gone, hasn't it?'
Noel also revealed that starting their family as teenagers meant that he had to grow up fast.
'We didn't have time for friends or anything like that,' he added. 'I never, never heard from them, never see them or anything anymore.'
The father-of-22 said that when he was young, he wanted to move to Australia and become a lorry driver.
'You've just got to make so many sacrifices when you have so many kids,' he continued. 'Any dreams I had, they were put by the wayside. I wish we'd done that.
'It's been great, you know, the family getting bigger and bigger... But I guess it has stopped a dream of mine'.
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