Louise Thompson has expressed that she is “deeply devastated” after finally apologising for comments on potty training that sparked widespread backlash earlier this week.
The former Made in Chelsea star, 36, and her husband Ryan Libbey, 35, with whom she shares four-year-old son Leo, faced criticism after appearing to mock children who are not fully potty trained by the time they start school.
On their podcast He Said, She Said, the couple discussed statistics suggesting that one in four children enter school still in nappies. Louise admitted she was “shocked” by the figure, and laughed when Ryan called it “a raw deal” for teachers — prompting backlash from parents and advocacy groups, particularly highlighting children with Special Educational Needs (SEN).
On Saturday, Louise took to Instagram to offer her heartfelt apology. She said: “The first thing I want to say is that I am just so sorry that I have upset anybody, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart. It was never our intention to offend so many people, let alone a community of parents and children who already face so many challenges. Both Ryan and I are deeply devastated.”
She clarified that the podcast referenced a Guardian article from January, which did not account for children with disabilities or SEN. “It doesn’t matter,” Louise said, “because what this has taught us is that we should have considered those other groups. This is an area that is so under-discussed.”
Louise continued: “I have read all the messages and videos, and I have nothing but tremendous admiration for the mothers out there. I would love for mothers who are struggling to keep messaging me so I can better understand what you’re going through, and perhaps we can have a more informed conversation on the podcast in the future.”
The star, who has been open about her own medical challenges, including having a stoma bag, emphasised her sensitivity to the topic: “I think so much of the battle is finding the courage to speak up, so people who don’t understand can, and we feel less marginalised. Hopefully, this is the beginning of a wider conversation.”
She concluded: “This has been an important lesson, one I don’t take lightly. It has given me the knowledge to keep raising awareness across my platforms. I have to say, it takes so much courage to advocate for your children — you should be proud, and I understand where this energy is coming from. Thanks to everyone who has reached out.”
The podcast clip that sparked the controversy has been removed, with the conversation edited out. Previously, viewers slammed the duo for failing to immediately apologise, citing the lack of inclusion for SEN children.
The figures discussed in the podcast come from an annual survey by Kindred Squared, which found that in England, 26% of children in reception classes were still having frequent toilet mishaps, rising to 36% in the North East. Around 28% of children were unable to eat or drink independently, and 25% struggled with basic life skills — figures not accounting for SEN or other developmental delays.
Louise’s apology appears to aim at fostering understanding and encouraging dialogue, while highlighting the challenges parents face in early childhood development.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/
