Louise Thompson and husband Ryan Libbey have sparked a storm of criticism after appearing to mock children who start school in nappies on their podcast He Said, She Said. The former Made In Chelsea star, 36, and her 35-year-old husband faced backlash for laughing over statistics suggesting that one in four children enter reception without being potty trained, with many social media users calling their comments “inconsiderate” and “shameful.”
The controversy erupted on Thursday after Louise and Ryan discussed the survey results, noting that 28 per cent of children were unable to eat or drink independently at school and that some needed assistance with basic motor skills. While Ryan quipped, “That’s a raw deal for teachers,” Louise laughed along, prompting immediate outrage from parents and advocacy accounts for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN).
“I think a basic human right is to teach your child before the age of four how to use the loo and how to wipe their bum,” Louise said in the original clip.
She added, “So, you’ve got a large number of kids in reception who have got nappies on and they can’t feed or drink themselves… That’s like almost a third of children.” While her intent may have been to highlight the challenges teachers face, many critics slammed the comments as mocking vulnerable children and their families, pointing out that delays in toilet training and self-care often stem from developmental conditions or special needs.
Following the backlash, the couple removed the clip from Instagram, issuing a statement that failed to explicitly apologise:
“In a previous clip we included a conversation around potty training based on recent stats and our own lived experience… This however did not include the very important reference to SEN children and families, which was an oversight so we removed the clip to avoid further offence. It’s an important topic we are very keen to learn more about.”
Despite this, critics flooded the comment sections, calling the response a “non-apology”. Parents and SEN advocates argued that simply removing the post was insufficient, urging the couple to issue a public, sincere apology.
“You were laughing and judging parents of both neurodivergent and neurotypical children regarding their children having delayed motor skills and toileting… This is ableism, not lived experience,” wrote one Instagram user.
Others echoed the sentiment:
“Do some research before opening your mouth and making such ignorant comments. You think that because either one of you don’t have children with these struggles, you’re somehow better than these families?”
The backlash was intensified by the couple’s lack of acknowledgement for the complexity of childhood development. Many children enter school un-potty trained due to conditions such as autism, ADHD, or other developmental delays, making the podcast’s tone particularly insensitive. Advocacy accounts like @autismandourworld reiterated that children with special needs deserve dignity, understanding, and compassion, emphasizing that public figures have a responsibility to avoid shaming vulnerable populations.
Louise and Ryan’s comments referenced data from an annual survey of primary school staff in England conducted by the charity Kindred Squared. While the figures cited were accurate — 26 per cent of children experienced frequent toilet mishaps, 28 per cent could not eat or drink independently, and 25 per cent struggled with basic skills — the discussion omitted the context behind these statistics, notably the proportion of children with disabilities or special educational needs.
“There are so many children who start primary school awaiting a diagnosis. One in four not being potty trained may reflect a lack of appropriate support rather than parental neglect,” a social media commentator explained.
Despite the apology-like statement, the podcast has continued to face scrutiny, with critics calling for dedicated, transparent acknowledgment of the impact of their remarks. Comments flooded in, urging the couple to move beyond general statements and publicly recognize the hurt caused.
“It would be much better to make a video apologising for generalised comments rather than deleting the post and hoping the backlash goes away… Publicly apologise and air it on your podcast,” one commenter wrote.
Some users went further, highlighting that the clip was inherently ableist, mocking children for circumstances beyond their control:
“You were laughing! Whatever the reason might be that a child can’t use the toilet or do anything else age-appropriate, why is that funny to you? Poor excuse, no apology in sight. Shame on you!”
The couple’s lack of explicit accountability has drawn comparisons to previous controversies in media where dismissive or vague responses failed to address harm caused to marginalized groups. Critics argue that, as influencers with a platform, Louise and Ryan have a responsibility to model empathy and inclusivity.
The podcast is produced by Louise’s brother, Sam Thompson, and Pete Wicks’ company Staying Relevant Productions. Sam has publicly discussed his own ADHD diagnosis and authored You, Me & ADHD, demonstrating the family’s awareness of neurodivergence. Despite this, the clip on potty training showed a disconnect between their lived experience and public commentary, raising questions about sensitivity when addressing complex childhood issues.
As the online debate raged, some commentators highlighted the potential harm to parents and children alike, noting that such dismissive statements can perpetuate shame and stigma:
“Regardless of this ‘oversight,’ you were still laughing at children with challenges and difficulties around self-care, toileting, and feeding. Really nothing funny about it at all,” a concerned parent wrote.
The controversy also underscores a broader societal tension: balancing honest discussion of statistics with the need for nuanced understanding and empathy. While the statistic about un-potty trained children is concerning from an educational perspective, it must be addressed without shaming or mocking those affected.
Louise and Ryan’s failure to offer a direct apology has only fueled criticism, with social media calls for a formal, public acknowledgment of wrongdoing. Critics suggest that a dedicated post, rather than a removed clip or comment, would signal sincerity and demonstrate accountability to the families affected.
“This is not an oversight; it’s ableism at its best! Maybe an apology is in order (considering there are parents you made cry with your words),” one user commented.
The public reaction highlights a heightened awareness around disability, special educational needs, and childhood development. In a climate where online influencers hold significant sway, mocking or generalizing about vulnerable groups is met with swift backlash, as seen in the hundreds of critical comments on Louise and Ryan’s social media platforms.
Ultimately, the incident serves as a reminder that public figures must consider context, sensitivity, and lived experiences when addressing topics like education and child development. Statistics alone do not justify humor at the expense of vulnerable populations, and audiences increasingly demand empathy and accountability from influencers.
