By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-09-16 18:40:50 | Updated at 2026-09-16 19:31:14
1 hour ago
22 Kids and Counting star Tillie Radford is recovering in hospital after undergoing a major 10-hour operation on her leg.
The 16-year-old daughter of Sue and Noel Radford underwent the lengthy procedure after living with a leg length discrepancy caused by a severe bone infection when she was a toddler.
The Radford family have now shared a fresh update on the teenager's recovery alongside a photograph showing Tillie lying in a hospital bed with her arm bandaged and medical monitors attached.
The family reassured followers Tillie was doing "ok", although she revealed she had experienced an uncomfortable night following the operation.
"Tillie is doing ok she did have a bit of an uncomfortable night and is in a bit of pain today," they wrote.
Despite her discomfort, the family said the teenager had already made progress with physiotherapy.
"She did really well with physio this morning; the plan is to try and get her out of bed tomorrow or to try and let her leg hang off the side of the bed," they continued.
Sue and Noel are also hoping to bring their other children to visit Tillie over the weekend, asking their followers for recommendations for campsites nearby.
Tillie Radford is recovering in hospital after undergoing a major 10-hour operation on her leg
INSTAGRAM/TILLIE RADFORD
"We are wanting to bring the kids to visit at the weekend so are looking for campsites in the area does anyone have any recommendations please," the family added.
Tillie has lived with Limb Length Discrepancy after developing a serious bone infection at just 18 months old.
The infection damaged the growth plate in her left leg, causing it to stop growing at the same rate as her right and eventually leaving it around 3.5cm shorter.
She has since faced a lengthy medical journey, with her latest operation involving a full knee reconstruction and the fitting of an external fixator to her lower leg to gradually lengthen the bone.
The major procedure at Alder Hey Children's Hospital lasted around 10 hours.
Following the operation, the Radfords told followers Tillie's surgeon was pleased with how it had gone, despite a slight delay involving a rod in her thigh bone.
The latest update marks the beginning of what is expected to be a significant recovery process, with physiotherapy already under way.
Fans of the Channel 5 family were quick to flood the comments with messages of support for the teenager.
"Wishing you well Tillie," one person wrote.
Another added: "Sending lots of love! Speedy recovery Tillie."
"Wishing you speedy recovery," a third echoed, while another follower said: "Glad that she's doing ok. Big hug."
One supporter praised the teenager's resilience, writing: "What a brave young lady you are Tillie. The recovery starts now. Keep going even when you want to give up and cry."
Sue and Noel Radford have been supporting their daughter Tillie throughout her lengthy health journey
GETTY
Tillie is the 14th child of Sue and Noel Radford and has regularly appeared alongside her parents and siblings on Channel 5's 22 Kids & Counting.
The family have documented parts of her health journey publicly, including the difficult decisions surrounding further surgery.
Ahead of the operation, Sue revealed the family had decided to delay the procedure until after Tillie completed her GCSEs because of the lengthy treatment and recovery involved.
The Radfords had also recently spoken out over Tillie's education, with Sue claiming her daughter had been refused a college placement because of the disruption her planned operations and recovery would cause.
