Noel Radford makes 'selfish' admission as he looks to take time away from family: 'Had my wings clipped'
Noel Radford made an unexpected admission about his hopes for the future
Channel 5
Noel Radford is famed for parenting Britain's largest family alongside wife Sue, both of whom continue to feature in Channel 5's 22 Kids and Counting.
Despite making a home for his large brood in Lancashire with a 10-bedroom mansion, it seems the 53-year-old is starting to focus on ways in which his unique lifestyle has forced him to miss out on other things.
The Radfords have always appeared to embrace their decision to dedicate their life to their ever-evolving family, but in scenes to air in the new series, Noel makes clear he's been harbouring a secret desire to take some time for himself.
In an episode set to air on Sunday, the famous father is seen beginning to consider how he missed out on a lifelong dream to drive a lorry around Australia.
During a hike with fellow parents his age, Noel started comparing his life with those of his peers whose children have already flown the nest, leaving them to enjoy more free time.
He reflected the way in which, for the Radfords, ''it's always been work and family, that's it''.
He went on to admit he felt as though his "wings are clipped" in an unexpected admission
"Seeing my mates enjoy themselves is a real wake-up call. If I wait until all of my kids have flown the nest, I'll just be too old to do the things that I want to do," The Sun reports.
He continued: ''It sounds selfish, doesn't it? But yeah, maybe I do need to find some time for myself.''
The musings led to a heart-to-heart with matriarch Sue, 49. He announced he would be stepping down from his pie business to work only two days a week, leaving children Chloe and Luke in charge.
22 Kids and Counting star Sue is left concerned by her husband Noel's admission
Channel 5
Noel also revealed to his wife that he'd been inspired by an old friend, Will, who had relocated Down Under years ago.
He suggested getting a property in Australia, which concerned a shocked Sue, who started to question herself following Noel's sudden change of heart.
"Noel's never really changed much since I first met him. He's definitely very much a family man," she told the cameras.
She went on: ''Loves to work hard and loves to support all of us. He's been a rock to me and the kids. My Mr Dependable.''
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Noel began to question his family-oriented life style in 22 Kids and Counting
Channel 5
Sue voiced her worries that her husband could be having a "midlife crisis".
"Maybe he'll want a flash sports car or something,'' she added. ''It does make you think... Is he unhappy with his life? His big family? Me?''
Noel wasn't successful in his attempts to convince Sue to move to the other side of the world, but he soon came up with a different idea.
After the couple jetted off to Dubai, he claimed Sue was beginning to "warm to the idea" of a new life.
"Distance from the family isn't really ideal is it?" he confessed. "But we're not going to have this lifestyle in Morecambe, Lancashire, are we?''