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Britain’s Biggest Families: Lossie’s Sullivans star in new BBC show

The Sullivan family standing together with woods behind them
The Sullivans are starring in a new BBC documentary

With 12 kids – and a philosophical attitude towards having more – they are one of Scotland’s biggest families.

And now, the Sullivans of Lossiemouth are to star in a new BBC show.

A documentary team from Scotland’s Biggest Families followed Ben, Zoe and their brood for a year.

And it was an important 12 months – when the family went from 13 to 14 with the arrival of baby Florence.

In the first episode, due to be shown on Monday night on BBC One Scotland, the family talk about rising bills, babies and beach trips.

In a one-to-one chat with the P&J, Zoe talks about what it was like being followed by cameras for a year

And she answers THAT question, which I never tire of asking her: Will there be any more additions to the Sullivan family?

What’s in the show?

In the one-hour first episode, Zoe and Ben – who has just retired from the RAF – talk a lot about the fun of being in a big family.

They are shown on a trip to the beach and a family walk.

But they also give an insight into what it takes to keep a big family in food, clothes and generally safe and warm.

Some throwaway figures include talking about a £320 weekly shop, which includes 3kg of cereal, 150 chicken nuggets, 30 waffles, 12kg of fruit and veg, 50 bags of crisps and 8l of fizzy drinks.

Christmas takes 70 rolls of wrapping paper and 10 rolls of sticky tape – wrapping took a month. The Christmas food shop was 37 bags of shopping that came to over £500.

How are they coping now?

In a chat, Zoe said the energy crisis and cost of living challenge is definitely starting to bite now.

She revealed that the family’s gas and electricity bills have gone up from around £250 to more like £400 a month.

Shopping is costing about £300 more for the same time period.

She said: “Any extras have all been spent on just living – it’s a bit sad.”

How is the new arrival?

At the end of episode one of the three-part series, baby Florence is still just a blurry image on a scan.

Baby Florence Sullivan with mum Zoe. Image: BBC

But in real life, she has been around for six months – and is “a force of nature”.

Zoe, 44, says: “Everyone just dotes on her, she’s very spoilt.”

And will Florence ever be a big sister?

Zoe says she’ll “never say never” (and bear in mind the last time she said that was pre-Florence).

She admits: “If any more come along, they’ll be very welcome.

“If it happens, it happens.”

The Sullivans co-star with the Hanns from Dundee, who have 13 kids (and a dog called Buster).

Their children are a little bit older, and they even have two grandchildren added into the mix.

What next for the Sullivans?

The family is actually at a landmark stage of their life. Ben, 47, has retired from the RAF – although he does have another job.

So the family need to start looking for a new home to rent or buy – not an easy proposition when all 12 kids are still at home.

Leah, Agnes and Erin with baby Florence Sullivan. Image: BBC Date; Unknown

Scotland’s Biggest Families airs on Monday, October 31 on BBC One Scotland from 8pm to 9pm.

The second and third episodes are due to be shown on the following Mondays.

More Sullivan Family news

And then there were 12: The Sullivan family welcomes a new arrival

Meet the Sullivans, one of Britain’s Biggest Families

The Sullivans compared to some of the world’s biggest families

Back to school: How to kit out a huge family

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