22 Kids and Counting star Noel Radford breaks down in tears following emotional admission: ‘I feel rotten’
Fans of 22 Kids and Counting were pleased to be able to tune into a new series over the weekend, but were warned in advance about emotional scenes coming up.
Dad Noel, 54, made the decision to search for his birth mother. He had been given up for adoption at just 10 days old back in 1971, but explained his time was running out to trace his biological mother.
Radford matriarch Sue, 50, was also adopted at a young age, but unlike her husband has no desire to trace her birth parents.
Opening up about the difficult decision during the episode, which aired on Sunday, Noel admitted: “I do feel a bit rotten, a bit selfish almost. But I’m only going to get the one chance.”
Meanwhile, Sue expressed her concerns over her husband’s project, relaying fears he could face “rejection”.
“How’s he going to deal with that?” the mother of Britain’s biggest family asked.
Audiences were glad to learn later in the episode that two months on from enlisting assistance for his search, Noel’s both mother had been located and was open to meeting him.
Upon receiving the news, Noel broke down in tears, placing his face in his hands and wiping away tears.
After composing himself, he asked: “Did it take her long to respond?” and was told it had only taken his mother a few days to get back to them.
“Does her husband or anything know?” he asked, before being assured he knew.
“He did know? Ok, well that’s good,” the father-of-22 commented.
Despite her initial reservations, Sue remarked: “I think it’s really lovely actually, that she said she had actually been dreaming of this day.
“So I think it’s amazing that she is very excited,” to which Noel added: “Yeah, I am pleased that, you know, I’ve not been rejected.”
Speaking directly to cameras, Noel shared how he was feeling “a bit emotional, but at the same time, relieved”.
“So I think it’s amazing that she is very excited,” to which Noel added: “Yeah, I am pleased that, you know, I’ve not been rejected.”
Speaking directly to cameras, Noel shared how he was feeling “a bit emotional, but at the same time, relieved”.
The episode also sparked an outpouring of emotional responses from viewers. Commenting on a preview clip posted to the Radfords’ Instagram, one wrote: “Omg only watched this clip and already I’m in tears.”
“Hugs to Noel, it must’ve been really hard. Xx,” a second shared. On X during the episode, another added: “I really enjoyed this episode.”
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“It is wonderful to hear adoptees are being supported in a truthful way to explain the complexities of adoption well to Noel and all the adoptees from all,” another wrote.
“Wow! That was emotional. Really pleased for Noel from 22 kids and Counting,” someone else penned.