The Footy Show, which on Thursday broadcast a Facebook photo of 18-month old Bella Richmond and labelled the baby "ugly" causing a heated debate online, has finally released an official apology to the Richmond family on the show's Facebook account.

In the statement released Monday, the show first clarified that the photo they used for the Look-A-Likes segment was sent to them by a family friend of the Richmonds and was not lifted off Facebook without consent.

"We chose not to make a statement to News Ltd yesterday but we did not refuse to apologise to the family and we did speak to the family on Friday and will do so again today to reassure them we never intended to cause hurt to them or their child and of course apologise if it did."

Earlier today, Michael and Melanie Richmond, parents of the 18-month old Bella who was ridiculed and labelled "ugly" by commentators of Channel 9's The Footy Show, said they will take legal action after their requested apology from the station had been reportedly refused.

Bella's parents said they both were "still in shock and dumbfounded" after the Thursday episode of the Footy Show broadcast a Facebook photo of their daughter without asking for their permission.

The Richmonds from Avalon, Sydney learned about the incident from Michael's sister who initially sent them the screen shot from the show.

A member of the panel reportedly described the photo of the 18-month old Bella as "ugly" and commented that the baby resembled Peter Sterling, a famous rugby player and Channel 9 commentator.

Mr. Richmond said they are consulting with their lawyers on Monday because Channel 9 had still not gotten back to them for the apology they are asking.

"We were going to let it go but we can't. Someone has put our baby on TV. We want to get some feedback on what our legal options are now."

Bella's photo that came out on TV was taken last year and was posted by Mrs. Richmond on her Facebook account.

Mr. Richmond said he understands how the social networking site works, how a user can't do anything once the photos are shared and made public. But what bothers him is the fact that not only was it done without their permission, the show also just put through an innocent child in an undeserved public ridicule.

"I know it's supposed to be tongue in cheek but she's just a baby. It's not cool," he said.

There has been an ongoing hot debate since the story came out with many people sympathising with the Richmonds and calling The Footy Show commentators "meatheads."