The Radfords left heartbroken as parents-of-22 Sue & Noel’s son Casper, 11, has dream of becoming pro footballer crushed
BRITAIN’S Biggest Family are back on our screens and tonight, we saw 11-year-old Casper get his dreams shattered.
In tonight’s episode, the first of the new Channel 5 series of 22 Kids & Counting, Casper took part in a football trial, in an attempt to be scouted by a Premier League club.
But the youngster, who is a huge Liverpool fan, was left gutted, with Noel and Sue heartbroken after receiving some bad news.
Noel, 53, explained: “It would be absolutely fantastic if you could see one of your kids be a top sports person. That would be a dream come true. Not only for them, but for us as well.”
Sue, 49, then chimed in: “A lot of our children, we get them all the stuff for it and then they lose interest.”
But unlike many of the other Radford kids, 11-year-old Casper had a clear dream – to be a professional footballer.
Whilst playing footie in his garden, he beamed: “I’m best at dribbling. Lots of people in my school call me the next best thing.
“My dream is to become a professional footballer and play for Liverpool.”
Noel explained: “Casper, out of all of the kids, is so much more focused. He’s determined to get where he wants to be.”
Following this, Sue agreed: “Casper would play football all day, everyday if he could. He loves it.”
Desperate to give his son a head start, Noel shared: “I’ve spoken to a friend who’s son is on the Liverpool books and he said Casper needs to get scouted, so hopefully if he gets scouted by a Premier Club, we can go from there.
“As a dad, you want to make your kids’ dreams come true as much as you can.”
Whilst at work, at the family’s pie shop, Noel received a call – he had got Casper into football trials, and Premier League scouts would be there.
Thrilled at the news, the father-of-22 beamed: “He’ll be over the moon. Hopefully Liverpool will be there, that will make his day.”
Another Radford child, 15-year-old Max, got involved to help with training and soon came the day of the football trial.
Who's who in the Radford family?
The Radfords are Britain's biggest family with 22 children.
Here are the kids from eldest to youngest include:
- Chris – born May 7, 1989
- Sophie – born December 13, 1993
- Chloe – born July 31, 1995
- Jack – born April 9, 1997
- Daniel – born March 3, 1999
- Luke – born October 1, 2000
- Millie Radford – born August 29, 2001
- Katie – born November 14, 2002
- James – born October 17, 2003
- Ellie – born May 6, 2005
- Aimee – born April 21, 2006
- Josh – born July 3, 2007
- Max – born December 11, 2008
- Tillie – born May 2, 2010
- Oscar – born October 22, 2011
- Casper, – born October 3, 2012
- Hallie – born June 3, 2015
- Phoebe – born July 24, 2016
- Archie – born September 18, 2017
- Bonnie – born November 6, 2018
- Heidie – born April 3, 2020
But Noel, who first met Sue when she was just seven, seemed concerned, as he admitted: “I’m a little bit worried about him, there’s some big guys out here. Some of them are as tall as me.”
Despite this, Noel’s concerns were soon put to bed, as after scoring a goal, which even the scouts noticed, Noel shared: “At the end, Casper was on cloud nine, he was buzzing. He absolutely loved it.”
But unfortunately for the youngster, later in the episode, his dreams came crashing down after a phone call.
The Radford Family's TV history
THE first ever episode of 22 Kids and Counting aired on Channel 5 on 22nd February, 2021.
After the first series – which had just four episodes in it – performed well, Channel 5 commissioned a 10-episode second season, which was broadcast in 2022.
They went on to commission a third series, which included a Christmas special aired in December 2023.
The fourth season began airing in January 2024, but fans were left disappointed when it stopped after six episodes.
Sue and Noel reassured viewers that they were just taking a little break, and the next episode will be airing on 21st July.
You can catch up on all previous episodes of 22 Kids and Counting on My 5, here.
Noel said: “We’ve received an email from the football trial people. We were really hoping for the best that he was going to get picked by a scout and for a club and all the rest of it. That was his dream and our dream as well.
“But unfortunately he didn’t, he’s just not got through.
“It’s going to be upsetting, he had his heart set on it.”
How does family-of-22 the Radfords afford to live?
AS Britain’s biggest family, it may come as no surprise that Sue and Noel Radford must have some hefty bills.
Between them, they have a whopping 22 children and seven dogs, which often has some people wonder how they manage their money.
The Radfords support themselves with the proceeds of Noel’s bakery, The Radford Pie Company, which is located near their home.
On their website, it says: “We have owned our own lovely bakery since 1999 which is how we manage to provide for (and feed) our huge and expanding family as well as for the local people of Heysham and Morecambe.”
The family expanded their business to cater to online orders placed across the UK.
The business is a family affair, with Noel at the helm, and some of their children helping out.
The older kids, who are working at least part-time, don’t get a free ride as they’re made to pay a small amount of rent to their parents.
“Us older ones do pay a little bit of board. Granted it’s not a lot but I’m also trying to save up for my own house at the moment.” their daughter Chloe said in a video on the YouTube channel.
Sue added: “We’ve always said if you want to buy somewhere, renting is a bit of dead money, so we’d rather you saved that money up and stayed at home a bit longer.
“I also do believe they should pay board if they are earning. We’ve always been brought up by our parents that we had to pay board.”
Noel and Sue famously don’t rely on benefits for their bumper brood and live off their pie shop for income.
They also revealed they make money from brand partnerships on social media.
The Radford family stars in their own reality TV show 22 Kids and Counting – which has run for four series.
Brand expert Andy Barr believes Noel and Sue have been paid less than £10,000 for each show.
He told the Daily Mail: “The typical fee per episode is going to be in the thousands rather than the tens or hundreds of thousands that people often think is the case with TV shows of this nature.
“If they continue to get commissioned for a fourth or fifth season, then they are going to be able to command a higher fee.”
He estimates that the Radfords make £ 5,000 an episode.
Clearly gutted, Noel took Casper away from the madness of their ‘millionaire mansion‘, a 10-bedroom Morecambe home, in Lancashire, to tell him the news.
As the youngster tucked into an ice cream sundae, his father explained: “Remember we went to the football trial and you were hoping to get picked by a scout? Unfortunately you didn’t get scouted this time.
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“They did say they were pleased with your performance but just on that day, none of the scouts thought you were ready yet to take it that bit further to a club.”
Undoubtedly devastated, the 11-year-old looked down and admitted: “I’m a bit sad.”
Reflecting on the situation, Noel admitted: “It’s heartbreaking. His little head went down.
“I think he’s had to hold the tears back.”
But keen to remain hopeful, Noel reassured Casper: “One day you’ll be at Anfield playing on the pitch.”
