The matriarch of the Radford family, Sue, recently penned a sweet tribute on her Instagram account to commemorate her son who was stillborn 10 years ago, noting the loss “never gets easier”.
Sue and Noel Radford’s baby Alfie was supposed to be their 17th child, but she was devastatingly informed at their three-month scan that the doctors could no longer find his heartbeat.
Every year since the loss, Sue has posted in memory of his passing, taking to her social media account this morning to share the news with her followers once again.
On her Instagram story alongside a series of images, she penned: “This time 10 years ago I was in a labour room being told our beautiful baby boy had no heartbeat.
“I would be induced a few hours later for him to be born silent but perfect at 7.54am the next morning. This time of year never ever gets easier. I can’t believe it’s 10 years tomorrow since he was born.”
Soon after the initial post, Sue posted a video to her story which showed their daughter Heidi tending to Alfie’s headstone in the graveyard, and captioned: “Heidie’s giving her big brother’s headstone a good clean bless her.”
Sue Radford penned a sweet tribute to their still-born son Alfie
Despite a hard time of year, the family have a lot to celebrate as their 21-year-old daughter Katie recently announced she is expecting her first baby, a son, with her long-time partner Connor Carter.
The birth of their son will be Sue and Noel’s 15th grandchild.
The family – who starred in their Channel 5 show, 22 Kids and Counting – took to social media to celebrate the news, with Katie’s older sister Chloe, 24, noting: “Beautiful day yesterday celebrating @katieeradford and @cxnnxr.carter baby BOY. So happy and excited for both of you.”
A younger Radford, Ellie, 19, added: “Congratulations to my beautiful sister @katieeradford and @cxnnxr.carter I’m so proud of both of you, I can’t wait to meet the little man. Auntie Ell loves you so much already.”
She posted a video of Heidie cleaning the headstone
The ever-growing family have always ruled out having more biological children, but has said in the past that they are open to adopting or fostering more children as their eldest has started to leave home and have children of their own.
Sue noted that she only ever planned on having three children but became addicted to having kids, and told the Daily Star after rumours swirled of another baby on the way: “No, I don’t think so though we have said similar things before! But no, that’s it now.”
Noel added: “We’ve said similar things plenty of times before! But seriously, Heidie is three now, so yes… we’re enjoying our sleep at last! And we no longer have to worry about kids being at that age when they pick things up off the floor and stick them in their mouths.”
Sue continued: “People might say there’s no longer any need for the ‘and counting’ in the title of the TV programme because me and Noel won’t be having any more kids. But we will hopefully be counting grandchildren for many more years.”
The Radford’s have some exciting family updates throughout this year
The family recently celebrated another milestone after Aimee Radford, 18, reached a huge personal milestone away from her family’s TV success.
The teen finished her last day of college, qualifying as a hairdresser, leaving her mother to pen on social media: “Just want to say a huge CONGRATULATIONS to @radford.aimee she’s just finished her last day at college and is now a fully qualified hairdresser.
“Couldn’t be any prouder of you Aimee you’ve done amazing.” (sic)
