Noel and Sue Radford have built a life in the public eye as Britain’s best-known big family. With 22 children and a Channel 5 series, they have shared birthdays, chaos, and everyday logistics for years. This spring, they shared something else: an enormous Disney celebration that later followed them home.

To mark Sue’s 50th birthday, the Radfords took their children and grandchildren to Walt Disney World in Florida. Reports put the cost near $70,000, with flights making up a large share. The family posted cheerful snapshots online, from character photos to Minnie ears and oversized drinks. Even then, the trip did not run smoothly. One adult daughter and her children reportedly faced travel delays after paperwork issues.

However, the bigger complication came after the holiday. The couple appeared in court and were found guilty of failing to ensure regular school attendance for four of their children during a stretch in late March and April 2025. The magistrates issued fines and court costs, adding another bill on top of the vacation spending.

Local officials defended the action and stressed a familiar point: attendance links closely to attainment, and term-time holidays rarely qualify as exceptional.

In other words, the Radfords may have booked a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Yet the calendar—and the law—still expected school days to stay put.