Louise Thompson, 36, and her husband Ryan Libbey, 35, sparked outrage on Thursday after a segment on their "He Said, She Said" podcast mocked children who are still in nappies when they start school... The pair cited a statistic that one in four children attend school before being potty‑trained, then removed the clip from Instagram without offering a clear apology.

One in four children sent to school before potty‑trained

The couple highlighted a study indicating that 25% of pupils begin school still needing nappies, a figure that prompted Thompson to say she was "shocked" before laughing at her husband’s coment that it was "a raw deal" for teachers.. According to the source, this statistic was presented without acknowledging children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) who may take longer to achieve continence.

Louise Thompson and Ryan Libbey delete Instagram clip

After the segment drew criticism, Thompson and Libbey removed the video from Instagram, replacing it with a statement that omitted any reference to SEN families. the apology note read, "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." As the source reported, the couple framed the removal as a learning opportunity rather than an admission of wrongdoing.

Non‑apology statement sparks social media backlash

Followers slammed the duo for what many called a "non‑apology," arguing that the brief note faield to acknowledge the hurt caused to families of children with disabilities. Critics noted that the phrasing "important topic we are very keen to learn more about" sounded dismissive, especially given the sensitivity around ableism in public discoruse.

Did the podcast ever address SEN children?

The source indicates that the original discussion never mentioned SEN children, leaving a gap in the conversation about why some children may remain in nappies longer. This omission fuels speculation about whether the hosts intended to discuss the broader challenges faced by SEN families or simply overlooked them.

What remains unclear about the couple’s response?

It is still unknown whether Thompson and Libbey will issue a more detailed apology or engage with disability advocates to rectify the perceived slight. As the source notes, their current statement stops short of a full acknowledgment, and no follow‑up interview has been scheduled.