22 Kids and Counting returns to C5 as Sophie sparks concern amid her marriage split with Joe
The Radford family are backChannel 5’s 22 Kids and Counting makes its big return tonight with Sophie and Joe’s marriage split top of the agenda.
The Radford clan are back for a brand new series and the big family’s dynamic has been changed by the break-up.
In the opening episode, Sophie breaks down in tears as she confides in her parents – Sue and Noel – about her heartache.
But when she then vanishes without contact, they are worried.
Will Sophie be found safe and well?
Here’s what you can expect from tonight’s 22 Kids and Counting.
22 Kids and Counting: Sophie and Joe split
Tonight’s episode begins with Sue and two of her daughters visiting party venues for a big bash.
They’ve noticed Sophie has been feeling down and want to surprise her with a party for hers and Joe’s 10-year wedding anniversary.
But it quickly becomes apparent that things are not well between the couple.
Speaking to the cameras on her own, Sophie admits: “I’ve been bottling a lot up in the last year and haven’t told my family everything that’s been going on.
“All the problems face the fact that marriage doesn’t seem to be what you want it to be. And it’s not resolving itself.”
When asked if she’d told her parents, Sophie replies: “Mum and dad have always got so much going on that I don’t want to burden them with my problems.
“I’m reaching a point now though where I’ve got to do something about it. Our marriage isn’t working.”
Later in the show, Sophie reveals that she and Joe have split.
Having told Sue and Noel, she admits: “Joe has moved out for a trial. So this is very raw, it’s literally just happened. He’s living with one of his family members.”
But when pressed by the camera crew as to why, she admits: “I don’t want to be going into it as it is private. We both see things very differently. We’ve grown apart.”
22 Kids and Counting: Sophie cries and vanishes
Sophie has three children with Joe and admits they are trying to keep things as normal as possible.
But she starts crying when talking to both the cameras and her parents, admitting there is “no going back” on the break-up.
Sophie tells Sue and Noel: “My anxiety has been bad the past few days. But it’s bound to be up and down.
“There won’t be any going back. Enough’s enough. It’s not very nice. You marry someone to spend the rest of your life with them.”
Then, in a piece to camera, she’s asked: “I’m sure you’ve had a lot of great times together so is it hard seeing those great times soured by the pain of the split?”
Bursting into tears, Sophie replies: “I’m going to go, so you’re just going to have to stop for a minute.”
Back in the kitchen, she also cries to her mum and dad. Sophie tells them: “I just can’t wait to feel happy and normal again and a bit more bubbly.”
Sue reassures her daughter, but things quickly take a turn.
Later in the episode, Noel admits they haven’t heard from their eldest daughter for two days. He jumps in his van and drives the 10-miles journey to her house to check on her.
“We normally hear from her every day,” he says, worriedly. “This is really out of character. We’ve just not heard from her.
“Things have come to a head. I think it’s harder than what she expected it to be.”
Sue also says: “It has definitely been one of the most worrying times for one of our kids.
“Normally I’m able to give advice because I’ve been through lots of different things. But this situation is pretty alien to me.”
Viewers will have a tense few minutes as they wait to find out if Sophie is okay.
When is 22 Kids and Counting on?
Series 8 of 22 Kids and Counting starts at 8pm tonight (Sunday February 1, 2026). The show airs on Channel 5 and is one hour long, with an end time of 9pm.
Fans will also get to watch as Millie and Harvey go up against the clock to make a big change for eldest daughter, Ophelia, before she starts school.
Will you be tuning in?
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