How Louise Thompson's 'privileged' potty training comment backfired, exposed by own fiancé

What was meant to be a podcast for open discussions about relationships and families has instead caused worry among fans of Louise Thompson and Ryan Libbey.

This past week, tensions hit a peak as Louise, aged 36, and her fiancé, 35, made jokes about children attending school without being toilet-trained or able to eat on their own during the He Said, She Said podcast. Fans described the remarks as "disgusting and disheartening," and insiders now reveal that this could be the tipping point for the Made In Chelsea star.

One insider shared: “Louise has indeed experienced significant challenges in her life and has the right to her own opinion, yet her comments appear to have struck a sensitive chord this time.

“She seems to overlook the fact that she lives a very privileged life with a healthy four-year-old son and ample time and money, all of which are factors to consider.

“It’s disappointing she didn’t foresee the potential upset her laughter could cause.

“Especially surprising considering her substantial efforts to support mothers in the past.”

In a clip now taken down from social media, Louise and Ryan discuss the proportion of children attending school without having been toilet-trained.

Expressing shock at the statistics, Louise stated: “Teaching your child to use the toilet and clean themselves before turning four should be considered a basic human right.”

Amused, Louise giggles as she recounts: “One in four kids are sent to school without being potty trained, forcing teachers to change their nappies and clean them. 88% of children start reception unable to eat or drink independently.”

Looking appalled, Ryan remarked: “They’re still in nappies and unable to feed or drink on their own.”

Pondering why this might be, Louise commented: “Perhaps it serves as a bit of an excuse, like, oh my kid’s upset and acting up, and I don’t want the bother.

“It seems people are overly engrossed in screens these days to commit the necessary time.”

However, it then emerged that their own son Leo was toilet-trained by Ryan’s parents while the couple was away on holiday.

He confessed: “My parents mostly got Leo potty-trained while we were away for a week. When he stayed with his grandparents, they managed to get him out of nappies in a week, which was quite handy for us.”

Recent findings from a survey indicated that one in four children starting reception in 2025 were not toilet-trained. This statistic does not include delays related to disabilities or special educational needs.

The comments touched on sensitive issues, igniting a heated discussion.

Reality TV personality, businesswoman, and mum of three, Lateshya Grace, expressed her dismay. She voiced: “It’s extremely appalling to mock children for using nappies, facing challenges with toileting, feeding, communication, or developmental delays.

“Numerous families are already struggling without needing ridicule from people who clearly lack understanding. Children's development varies widely, and many facing these issues have disabilities, additional needs, or medical conditions that others shouldn’t prejudge.

“Labelling parents as ‘lazy’ because their child requires more support is an ignorant and privileged view. Most parents facing these circumstances are doing just about all they can behind closed doors while confronting battles that remain unseen.”

Lateshya added, “Deleting the clip without making a proper apology doesn’t erase the harm caused.

“Children deserve empathy, patience, and understanding, not to be mocked for content or podcast discussions. I urge you to educate yourselves before discussing matters affecting vulnerable children and families.

“You ought to feel ashamed. Some truly don’t merit having a platform.”

Her sentiments resonated with many parents online as the clip went viral, despite attempts to remove it.

Holly Steer, who operates the Instagram account autismandourworld, dedicated a unique post to the podcast.

She noted: “Social platforms ideally meant to foster kindness, empathy, and understanding are instead being used to taunt and blame children with special needs, holding their parents responsible for developmental issues that are often deeply complex.”

Her own tough journey and previous efforts have only heightened fans’ bewilderment.

Indeed, Louise has committed much of the last few years to enhancing maternity services following her own life-endangering experience, which resulted in her needing a colostomy bag.

In 2021, she endured a life-threatening delivery with her son Leo, following an emergency C-section that caused severe bleeding. She subsequently needed a stoma bag and has spoken about experiencing PTSD from the traumatic childbirth.

Louise also faces lupus, a persistent autoimmune disorder causing fatigue and joint pain, and was diagnosed with hydrosalpinx – a condition where a fallopian tube is blocked and fills with watery fluid.

Others have pointed out that Louise’s brother, fellow TV personality Sam, was recently diagnosed with ADHD and ASD, adding: “I expected more from someone with a neurodivergent sibling.”

And it’s unlikely she’ll find much support from her former Made In Chelsea colleagues after she plainly indicated she has moved on from the programme.

After attending the Baftas this weekend, Louise threw shade at former cast members like Spencer Matthews and her past rival, Lucy Watson, by not acknowledging them.

Snapping photos with Millie Mackintosh at the event, she shared a flashback with former cast members, writing: “Here are some pictures of Millie and me (and other cast members) at the BAFTAs in 2013, when Made in Chelsea won a Bafta… THIRTEEN years back.”

Our source said, “Louise has unmistakably shown little interest in some of her former colleagues. After what she went through when she had her son, she chose to detach herself from MIC drama, and there’s certainly no love lost with some of them.”

Just last week, Louise met with the then Health Secretary Wes Streeting to advocate her proposal for a maternity commissioner and enhancement of care for mothers and infants. She left the meeting feeling “genuinely hopeful.”

Some NHS professionals have raised concerns over her assessment of the service, fearing it might negatively impact expectant mothers.

A midwife, with a decade of NHS experience, expressed her distress over “being blamed for women’s traumas,” highlighting long-standing funding and resource issues spanning over two decades, which are issues midwives continually strive to address.

Although Louise is evidently contributing significantly to encouraging change, whether her fans will forgive her misstep remains uncertain.