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CBB star Mickey Rourke's troubling history with homophobic slurs revealed after pals insisted he 'wasn't trying to offend gay people' with JoJo Siwa row Have YOU got a story? Email [email protected] By REBECCA LAWRENCE FOR MAILONLINE Published: 07:30 EDT, 11 April 2025 | Updated: 07:33 EDT, 11 April 2025 e-mail View comments Mickey Rourke's history of using homophobic slurs has been revealed after his friends insisted he wasn't 'trying to offend gay people' when he clashed with JoJo Siwa on Celebrity Big Brother . Earlier this week, fans called for the actor, 72, to be axed from the show after he branded lesbian housemate Jojo, 21, a 'f*g'.
In response, Mickey's longtime friend Kimberly Hines argued that 'old school' Mickey isn't purposely trying to hurt or 'offend' anyone , but is merely not up to scratch with the 'politically correct vocabulary' used in 2025. However, it has since emerged that Mickey has been warned about his turns of phrase in the past, previously having to apologise for using slurs. In 2008, the actor came under fire for branding a journalist the f-word after they asked if he was dating The Wrestler co-star Evan Rachel Wood .
He said at the time: 'She's a good friend, that's it. And tell that f**got who wrote all that s**t in the paper I'd like to break his f*****g legs.' Mickey Rourke's history of using homophobic slurs has been revealed after friends insisted he wasn't 'trying to offend gay people' when he clashed with JoJo Siwa on Celebrity Big Brother Earlier this week, fans called for the actor, 72, to be axed from the show after he branded lesbian housemate Jojo, 21, (pictured) a 'f*g' Mickey caused outrage with the remarks but refused to apologise, telling reporters: 'I don't really give a f**k.
Life's too short. 'I have more gay friends than any 50 straight people I know, so I don't really give a s**t. I meant what I said.
' Yet following mounting backlash, he went back on this word, releasing a statement that read: 'I want to sincerely apologize for the derogatory word I used. 'It was insensitive and inappropriate of me and I am deeply sorry that I may have offended anyone.' Two years prior, Mickey found himself in similar trouble when he used the F-word to describe a drunken fan who he almost got into a fight with.
Defending his usage, he told New York's Time Out magazine: 'Look, I'm not afraid to say the word f*g. I've got plenty of gay friends. We toss the word around.
' This week, several celebrities spoke out against Mickey's behaviour in the Celebrity Big Brother house. However, his friend Kimberly was quick to defend him, Kimberly claiming JoJo had 'overreacted' to Mickey's comments made towards her. In 2008, the actor came under fire for branding a journalist the f-word after they asked if he was dating The Wrestler co-star Evan Rachel Wood Speaking to The Sun, Kimberly said: 'Mickey was a star from the 80s and 90s, and it's now 2025 and there’s a politically correct vocabulary and a way people need to be.
He, she, they. But Mickey just doesn't know that new vocabulary. He's old school.
He’s 72. He's not doing it to offend. 'He's not creepy.
He's not pervy. He's not trying to offend gay people, lesbian people. For him, he doesn't realize that now every word you say can and will be used against you.
And that's just the way this world works now.' Despite JoJo being visibly upset by Mickey's words before being comforted by Chris Hughes, Kimberly added: 'I think JoJo is overreacting, and it's obviously exactly what Big Brother were hoping for, right?' She also took aim at show bosses, noting they 'knew' what they were doing in signing up the Hollywood bad boy, noting that show was getting the 'reaction and publicity' it was 'hoping for'. During his row with JoJo, Mickey asked the Dance Moms star: 'Do you like girls or boys?' to which she replied: 'Me? Girls.
My partner is non-binary.' Doubling down on his claims he would be able to change her sexuality, Mickey then insists: 'If I stay longer than four days, you won't be gay anymore.' JoJo then replied: 'I can guarantee I'll still be gay and I'll still be in a very happy relationship.
' Later in the episode, which got 1.55million views, Mickey asked Chris if everyone had to vote one another out of the house, with the Wrestler star stating: 'I'm going to vote the lesbian out real quick.' Mickey was issued a formal warning from Big Brother for his behaviour and later apologised for causing offence, insisting: 'I didn't mean in it any bad intentions' JoJo overheard and hit back: 'That's homophobic, if that was your reasoning', as Chris defended her by interjecting: 'You can't do that Mickey'.
Undeterred, Mickey continued: 'I need a fag' before gesturing to JoJo and adding: 'I'm not talking to you.' Chris once again hits back saying, 'Mickey, you can't say that', to which he replied: 'I know. I was talking about a cigarette.
' Mickey was issued a formal warning from Big Brother for his behaviour but many viewers claimed show bosses should have gone a step further and removed him from the house. Prompted by Big Brother he said sorry in the Diary Room and confessed: 'I apologise. I don't have dishonourable intentions - I'm just talking smack you know.
'I wasn't taking it all so serious. I didn't mean in it any bad intentions and if I did, sorry.' CELEBRITY BIG BROTHER 2025: MEET THE LINEUP! MICKEY ROURKE AGE: 72 FAMOUS FOR: The actor and former pro boxer is one of the show's biggest ever signings and after public feuds with Robert De Niro, two marriages and a string of high profile relationships, he will be bringing plenty of drama.
DALEY THOMPSON AGE: 66 FAMOUS FOR: The double Olympic gold-medallist is considered one of Britain's greatest athletes. He broke the decathlon world record four times. PATSY PALMER AGE: 52 FAMOUS FOR: It's an open secret that Patsy is leaving EastEnders, with the actress enjoying a wild leaving party this month.
The Bianca Jackson star posted a snap of her character on Instagram with the caption: 'Bye bye B, always grateful to see her again.' DONNA PRESTON AGE: 38 FAMOUS FOR: While Donna has featured in several TV shows and movies, the comedy star is known for hosting Apocalypse and for the role of a circus Compere in 2018's Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald. She plays Den in Coronation Street, has featured in Pants On Fire in 2019 and even wrote and co-produced BBC Three's Comedy Threesomes.
CHESNEY HAWKES AGE: 53 FAMOUS FOR: The singer topped the charts for five weeks in 1991 with his hit The One And Only, before making a string of acting and TV appearances. His arrival on CBB has been described by a TV source as 'perfect timing', as he's just released a comeback album ANGELLICA BELL AGE: 49 FAMOUS FOR: The TV presenter is said to have landed a staggering five-figure deal to appear on Celebrity Big Brother. Fans will be keen to see if the CBBC legend spills all on her untimely exit from The Martin Lewis Show - which left fans baffled back in 2023.
Angellica currently co-presents Hits Radio while Fleur East is on maternity leave. DANNY BEARD AGE: 32 FAMOUS FOR: The RuPaul's Drag Race UK winner - whose real name is Daniel Curtis - has signed up as a late entry. Danny previously made headlines after swearing on Big Brother's Late & Live last March whilst doing an impression of housemate Louis Walsh.
The incident saw the guest say the word 'c***' before immediately apologising after being informed they weren't allowed to say that on the show. CHRIS HUGHES AGE: 32 FAMOUS FOR : After shooting to fame on Love Island in 2017, Chris went on to become a sports presenter and regularly hosts the horse racing coverage on ITV. JOJO SIWA AGE: 21 FAMOUS FOR: The American singer, who shot to stardom on reality show Dance Moms, is expected to draw a big American audience.
The hitmaker has made a name for herself in the U.S. pop charts and is known for her outlandish looks and being a vocal member of the LGBTQ+ community.
TRISHA GODDARD AGE: 67 FAMOUS FOR: The talk show host regularly presented on ITV from 1998 to 2004 and then shifted to Channel 5 from 2004 to 2010. Trisha has been suffering horrible side effects of her chemotherapy - but has bravely battled on. JACK P.
SHEPHERD AGE: 37 FAMOUS FOR: The actor has played David Platt in Corrie since 2000 and is following in his pal Colson Smith's footsteps by taking part in the popular reality show. He has won a string of awards for the role including Best Actor at the British Soap Awards. ELLA RAE WISE AGE: 24 FAMOUS FOR: Producers have been keen to land the TV personality, who previously dated Pete Wicks and has had an on-off romance with Dan Edgar.
Bosses are hoping the TOWIE star might reveal all about some of her other famous exes. MICHAEL FABRICANT AGE: 74 FAMOUS FOR: The former Conservative politician is understood to have signed a lucrative six-figure deal to take part after political stars were banned from the broadcaster's other reality show, I'm A Celeb. He served as MP for Lichfield in Staffordshire from 1992 until his defeat in 2024 as well as vice-chairman of the party under David Cameron.
But he is perhaps best known for his blond mop for which he has been widely ridiculed but previously denied is a wig. Share or comment on this article: CBB star Mickey Rourke's troubling history with homophobic slurs revealed after pals insisted he 'wasn't trying to offend gay people' with JoJo Siwa row e-mail Add comment Comments 0 Share what you think No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.
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