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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Florence Freeman

Two kids in UK's biggest family battle to take over pie business after dad retires

Two children from Britain's biggest family are battling each other to take over their father's pie business.

Noel Radford, of 22 children, announced his plans to retire, sparking a debate between two of his children.

Noel, who shares the children with his wife of 30 years Sue, is part of Britain's largest family, who all live in Lancaster.

The family has a huge following on social media and regularly shares updates about their life online.

They also have their own Channel 5 TV show, 22 Kids and Counting.

In the most recent episode, Noel announced his plans to retire from the Radford Pie company to two of his children - Chloe and Luke.

Noel announced his plans to retire from the Radford Pie company to two of his children (Radford Family)

The siblings, who work together at the pie shop, were informed by their dad that only one of them could replace his role.

Noel said: "I've got some news, I guess you could say. I'm sort of wanting to try and hang my apron up and retire.

"I just want to, you know, enjoy life... I mean we've had this place now 23 years so I'm thinking now is about time I take a step back and go nothing."

Chloe said she was surprised at her father's decision, saying she did not expect him to retire so soon.

But his son, Luke, remained silent on the matter.

Noel went on to tell his two children that he wanted just one person running the business in his absence, adding that he thinks it would be 'easier that way'.

Noel told his two children that he wants just one person running the business in his absence (Radford family)

Chloe quickly replied: "I would assume it would be me."

Noel replied: "The thing is, that because I'm obviously a dad to the pair of you, I don't want to say 'Chloe it's your job' while never even looking at Luke or giving him a chance.

"I want to feel like it's fairly done and Luke doesn't go away feeling unhappy."

Luke finally spoke on the matter, stating he felt capable of handling the business.

He said: "I definitely feel like it's something I'm capable of."

However, Chloe felt she would be the right choice to take over the business.

She added: "I mean with no disrespect to Luke, I would say that I am the right choice. I'm going to back myself."

Luke said off camera he would have to work hard to prove he can take over his fathers role (Instagram)

Luke later said off camera he would have to work hard to prove his potential in taking over the business.

He said: "The main thing for me is to do things to prove that I could take the business. It's like a game now, I have to win."

Noel admitted the decision would be very hard to see which child he would hand down the business to.

He said: "It's going to be a tough decision, obviously if one of them is going to get the job, I think it's just going to be a bit of a case of you know selling themselves to me."

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