The family behind 22 Kids and Counting often spark debate amongst fascinated fans – and a recent update has been no exception.
The Radfords, consisting of parents Noel, 54, Sue, 49, and their vast brood of children, share their unusual lifestyle through their Channel 5 series and via several online platforms as well as their YouTube channel.
Last week, a spin-off show followed the UK’s biggest family as they prepared for the wedding of Millie, 23, and her now-husband Harley Passmore.
The couple tied the knot in November, and the one-off episode documented their journey to the big day, showing the highs and lows of a couple preparing for married life.
Recently, the family have been slammed online for showcasing their lavish lifestyle, with their multiple family holidays, Christmases and extravagant trips the subject of debate amongst fans.
However, the parents have always hit back to reiterate they fully fund their own lives and can spend their money how they please.
Noel Radford was the ‘proud father of the bride’ in November
In the run-up to Millie’s wedding, money caused a huge row between her and fiancé Harley.
The couple had landed on the Wennington Hall in Lancashire as their venue, which asks for prices of just under £9,000 for wedding packages.
Sunday’s wedding episode saw the couple close to breaking point as they faced pre-wedding stress.
“Getting to the altar for Harley and Millie isn’t going to be easy, there’s a lot of pressure on them,” Noel pointed out at one point.
Millie Radford was determined to find the perfect wedding dress
Channel 5
However, things boiled over as Millie was trying on wedding dresses and her fiancé lost his job.
The couple, who share two children, were devastated by the timing of the news, with Harley explaining: “I have lost my job. Basically I got a call and he said ‘it’s obviously not working out for you.'”
The argument that followed almost put the wedding on hold, meaning the couple could have lost their pricey venue.
“That’s a nightmare,” Noel confessed, adding: “The idea was Sue and I take the bulk of the cost, but it’s only right Harley should chip in and make an effort to pay for something.
“They can’t expect us two to pay for everything. If they want this wedding to happen, they’ll have to start cutting corners – on dresses, anything.”
Mother-of-three Millie detailed how tough she had found it to hide her concerns as she lamented: “It is quite hard to be happy and put a smile on today.
“There’s still arguments at the minute, just major things that don’t need to be such a fuss over, over the wedding, are a major fuss. I was really angry with Harley.”
However, viewers had a less-than sympathetic response to the couple’s bad news, with one writing on the family’s YouTube: “Millie wanting so much. Money is nothing to them. He is marrying a radford. Good luck.”
“Save the wedding money, go to the city hall, and INVEST the money not spent on a stupid ceremony,” another advised harshly.
“You can still have a posh wedding doing it cheaper. I hope millie has the best wedding,” one well-wisher added.
A fourth complained: “Millie needs to get real. She and harley don’t have the money for all this [princess] bs, she needs to grow up and realise she needs a cheaper wedding and stop being a brat.”
“Can’t stand these people anymore. MONEY VASTS AMOUNTS OF IT HAVE CHANGED THESE PEOPLE HOW MANY HOLIDAYS DO YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN NEED. MONEY TALKS,” another fumed.
However, others defended the family and Millie, with one fan commenting: “Radfords I’m so sorry you have so many ugly trolls on here. Harley you’ve had such big losses in your young life. you really had me in tears. then Noel steps in and I cry with joy.” (sic)
