Parents-of-22 Noel & Sue Radford open up about the challenges of raising autistic son Max as Noel takes him fishing

THE parents of Britain’s biggest family, the Radfords, have opened up about raising their sweet son Max, who has autism.

Speaking on the latest episode of Channel 5’s 22 Kids And Counting, dad Noel said he wanted to do something special for his boy - so took him fishing for the day.

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Last year, Max, 13, the Radfords’ 13th child, was diagnosed with autism.

Mum Sue, 46, said: “I think when you have this many children you kind of come to realise when one of the children needs more attention than the others do.

“He’s so lovely, he really is, but just certain little traits, he has to routine in his life. 

“He doesn’t like it when he doesn’t have routine.”

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Noel, 51, said: “I’ve noticed with Max recently he seems to have gone into his shell, he just seems to sit in his room and play on his tablet thing.

“I just want to get him out of the house and spend some time with him.

“I just thought the idea of going fishing with Max would be really nice. It’s something I used to do when I was a kid.

“I just thought it would be something he would enjoy. Just getting out there a bit of fresh air.”

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Sue added: “It is right up his street.”

The father and son duo head out to Morecambe bay near to their home, which has over five miles of coastline.

Sadly it proves more tricky than they predicted - and they fail to catch anything but a piece of seaweed.

Noel gently broke the news to Max saying: “I don’t like to disappoint you Max but there’s nothing on the end.”

But the pair seem to enjoy their time together tucked into a fish and chip dinner on the way home.

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Undeterred, Noel takes Max and a pal out to sea on a boat with a skipper, and this time they do manage to catch loads of fish.

Max happily exclaimed: “I’m a master fisher!”

Many people were quick to praise the family giving Max special attention, with one saying: “How sweet and it’s fantastic Noel and Sue are investing in their children lives by not just providing but be active parents who cares and it shows.”

Another added: “You did an awesome job Max!!  You can see what a great time they all had.”

Sue and Noel are parents to Chris, 32, Sophie, 28, Chloe, 26, Jack, 25, Daniel, 23, Luke, 21, Millie, 20, Katie, 19, James, 18, Ellie, 16, Aimee, 16, Josh, 14, Max, 13, Tillie, 11, Oscar, 10, Casper, nine, Hallie, six, Phoebe, five, Archie, four, Bonnie, three, and Heidie, two.

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The family famously doesn’t rely on benefits and is supported by their pie shop business. 

The Radfords, who live in a 10-bed former care home, often show off their millionaire lifestyle on Instagram.

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