Louise Thompson Apologizes for Controversial Potty Training Remarks

 has said she is 'deeply devastated' as she finally issued an apology for her out of touch potty training comments made earlier this week. 

On Thursday, the former star, 36, and her husband Ryan Libbey, 35, with whom she shares son Leo, four, sparked backlash after appearing to 'mock' children who are still wearing nappies by the time they start school.

Speaking on their podcast He Said, She Said, the couple discussed the statistic that one in four children are sent to school before they are potty trained. 

Louise admitted she was 'shocked' by the statistic before laughing when Ryan said 'that's a raw deal' for teachers, leading to backlash from followers, with many pointing out reasons, including children with Special Educational Needs.

And now on Saturday, Louise took to Instagram to share her deepest apologies as she explained it was never her intention to offend and she has 'tremendous admiration' for mothers struggling. 

Speaking to her followers she began: '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 go out there and offend so many people let alone a community of parents and children that have so many challenges as it is and both Ryan and I are deeply devastated.'

Explaining the context of the podcast clip she continued: 'The statistics we were referring to in the podcast that came from a Guardian article that was published back in January and it was not referring to children that had Special Educational Needs or a disability but it doesn't matter because what this has taught us is that we should have considered those other groups of children and this is an area that is so under-discovered.

'I have watched all the videos and read all for the comments I have nothing but tremendous admiration for the mothers out there having heard their stories.'

Encouraging feedback she said: 'I would love mothers that are struggling on a daily basis to keep messaging me so I have a better understanding of what you are going through and perhaps we can have a more informed conversation on the podcast at some point in the future as I think it is so important to keep raising awareness for these kinds of topics.'

Louise, who has a stoma bag and has been very open with her followers about her medical conditions added: 'I obviously have an invisible disability myself so I am particularly sensitive to these sorts of topics. 

'I think so much of the battle is finding the courage to speak up about them so that people that don't understand them do, so we feel like a less marginalised group in society. So hopefully this is the beginning of a wider conversation.'

She concluded: 'I promise this has been such an important lesson and not one that I take lightly. If anything it has given me lots of information to keep having these conversations across my platforms. 

'I have to say it takes so much gut and gumption to advocate for your children so you should be so proud of yourselves and I totally understand where all of this energy is coming from as I have been that person too. 

'Thanks for everyone who has DM'd me and those who have said we should meet up to have a further conversation.'