One of the children of Britain’s largest family overcame has overcome his fear of driving in order to move to Australia.
Sue Radford, 49, and her husband Noel, 53, – who are parents of ‘Britain’s largest family’ helped their 25-year-old son Daniel overcome his fear of driving in a new episode of 22 Kids and Counting, which airs on Channel 5 this Sunday.
Daniel, from Morecambe in Lancashire, developed a life altering fear of driving following a car accident that had left him too fearful to get behind the wheel.
But he was forced to get his licence after he received an email from a prospective employer in Australia.
It’s the TV star’s dream to move to Australia, and nothing was going to stop him.
The Radfords meteoric rise to fame is no doubt owed to proud parents Sue, 48, and Noel, 52, who have amassed an astonishing 22 children and 13 grandchildren
Daniel Leon Radford, (pictured passing his driving test in 2020) 25, developed a life altering fear of driving following a car accident that had left him too fearful to get behind the wheel.
The news that he would need to drive in his new job, left Daniel – who is the fifth child born the Sue and Noel – completely dismayed.
In the episode, Daniel went on the explain the details of the terrifying crash that took place while he was driving in Bristol.
‘I was working away in Bristol and I was going to pick some food up with my friend and I came to a junction and as I came left out of the junction.
‘I turn my head to the back of the car to speak to my friend and I’ve turned the wheel the other way and it’s hit a curb.
‘It flipped the car over and then I was just upside-down and I couldn’t get out the car.
‘My mate, he got out the car and then he realised I couldn’t get out the car because I couldn’t take my seatbelt off.
‘The airbag went off and it bust my nose.’
Eventually, Daniel’s friend was able to help unplug his seatbelt so he could get out the car, which could have left him in a dangerous position.
Emergency services were rushed to the scene where they arrived to a vehicle of smashed doors and windows and roof caved in.
Daniel Leon Radford (right) is the fifth in his parents long list of children
Sue and Noel Radford on their wedding Day at Kendal Parish Church in 1992
‘It’s definitely the scariest thing I’ve been through,’ he admitted.
His mother, Sue, remembered being terrified when she got the news during a trip to America with husband, Noel.
‘Since this accident, I think his confidence with driving has really taken a knock,’ Sue explained.
During the episode, Noel attempted to bring his son’s confidence back by suggesting he have a go at driving the van but he flat out refused.
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During an emotional moment, Noel asked Daniel what was bothering him. ‘I didn’t realise it had affected you as much as it has, Dan.’
He asked: ‘What’s bothering you most? In case it happens again or what?’
‘Before I had the crash, you never think it will happen to you so when it happened, it put things into perspective. Anything can happen at anything time,’ Daniel said thoughtfully.
WHO ARE THE RADFORD FAMILY CHILDREN?
Noel and Sue pictured with 18 of their children at Heidie’s christening
1. Chris, 33
2. Sophie, 30
3. Chloe, 28
4. Jack, 27
5. Daniel, 25
6. Luke, 23
7. Millie, 22
8. Katie, 21
9. James, 20
10. Ellie, 19
11. Aimee, 18
12. Josh, 17
13. Max, 15
14. Tillie, 14
15. Oscar, 12
16. Casper, 11
17. Hallie, nine
18. Phoebe, seven
19. Archie, six
20. Bonnie, five
21. Heidie, four
The parents tragically lost their 17th child Alfie in July 2014.
When his father asked if he was now afraid of being behind the wheel, he said the fact that the car ended up upside down, was what had scared him the most.
‘And then you have all those thoughts going through your head while your upside down,’ said Noel.
‘It was just a scary situation really,’ said Daniel, reflecting on the near fatal ordeal.
Recalling the incident, Sue said: ‘The first thing you think of when you think about the fact that he was trapped, is that you just thank god that it didn’t set on fire.’
‘I’ve crashed a car before, I was driving down country lanes and just skidded on a corner and ended up hitting a tree.
‘It all happens so quick but in the time it happens, you’re scared.
‘I learned from it just to be more cautious. Life is very fragile and can be taken from you at any time
‘It’s that initial, getting behind the wheel and doing it, it’s still very fresh,’ he said while comforting his son.
‘I had to drive because I had to get to work, I had no other choice,’ Noel said, who at the time had children at home who needed looking after.
After the conversation, Daniel said it was ‘nice’ to have spoken to his father about the crash, having been able to share the two’s experiences with crashing.
Noel said he thought Daniel had made the mistake of being ‘too confident’ on the day that he ended up crashing since the youngster had only been driving a short period of time.
Thanks to Noel’s encouragement, Daniel was finally able to sit himself back behind the wheel, with the episode showing him regathering his confidence and taking off in the car.
‘I definitely knew that I needed to start driving again but I wasn’t sure if would actually be able to.
‘My dad said not to be a prisoner to your own fear
To ensure his confidence sticks while in Australia, Noel said the family were paying for him to have an advanced driving course.
‘Now that I’m behind the wheel again, I’m good to go to Australia,’ said the 25-year-old who was elated to have finally overcome his fears.
The family were able to celebrate Daniel’s win, delighted with his progress.
His mother Sue said he had learned an important Radford lesson: ‘Don’t be afraid of your fears, they’re not there to scare you, they’re there to make you realise that some things, are worth it.’
22 Kids And Counting returns to Channel 5 on Sunday, 22 August at 8pm.
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