1 week Ago By Evening Standard
Mickey Rourke could soon be packing his bags after a turbulent start to his time in the Celebrity Big Brother house, having been reprimanded for homophobic comments about JoJo Siwa. The 72-year-old actor has sparked controversy in the opening days of the ITV series, with viewers calling for his removal following several uncomfortable on-screen moments and offensive remarks. During the launch episode, Rourke was criticised for his behaviour towards host AJ Odudu , which included pulling her close and appearing to leer at her.
Viewers quickly voiced outrage on social media, describing the interaction as “creepy,” and even “harassment.” Two days later, Rourke received a formal warning from Big Brother after using a homophobic slur during a conversation with Siwa. The incident occurred when he probed the pop star’s love life, asking the 21-year-old: “Do you like girls or boys?” “Me? Girls.
My partner is non-binary,” the singer replied. He then told her: “If I stay longer than four days, you won’t be gay anymore.” The viral star corrected him and insisted: “I can guarantee I'll still be gay and I'll still be in a very happy relationship.
” Later in the episode, Rourke discussed potential nominations with Chris Hughes - during which he made another homophobic slur. Rourke said: “I'm going to vote the lesbian out real quick,” referring to Siwa. Siwa, who overheard the comment, immediately called it out: “That's homophobic, if that was your reasoning.
” Hughes, 32, backed her up, telling Rourke: “You can’t do that, Mickey.” But Rourke escalated things further by replying: "I need a f**," before quickly gesturing towards Siwa and clarifying: “I'm not talking to you.” Hughes again tried to correct him, saying: "Mickey, you can't say that.
" Rourke insisted he was referring to a cigarette, but the moment visibly upset Siwa, who was seen being comforted by Hughes. The Hollywood actor, 72, was called into the Diary Room where Big Brother addressed the incident and read back the exchange that had sparked backlash both inside the house and among viewers. “Mickey, do you understand how this language could be offensive to your Housemates or the viewing public?” the voice of Big Brother asked.
Rourke responded: “Yeah, I think so. If I was saying it in a nasty kind of way or if I truly meant it.” But Big Brother made their position clear, stating: "Mickey, Big Brother thinks your language was offensive and unacceptable.
" "Alright. I can understand that," Rourke replied. He was then given a formal warning: "Further language or behaviour of this nature could lead to you being removed from the Big Brother house.
Mickey, do you understand?" “Yes, I do. It’s some serious stuff,” he acknowledged. When asked if he had anything to say, Rourke offered an apology, telling Big Brother: “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.
” Despite the apology, viewers have said a warning wasn’t enough, with many calling for his removal from the house. One penned on X: “Mickey rourke not being kicked out of #CBBUK is harrowing based on the way he’s treated women from the get go and the way he spoke to/about Jojo is so gross and so upsetting to watch.” “absolutely disgraceful.
..making a young woman feel like that just for being herself??? mickey needs to be kicked out asap,” another commented.
A third added: “He has shown absolutely no remorse whatsoever, vile behaviour from Mickey”. Later in the episode, Siwa addressed the incident when exercising her killer nomination power: “I choose to killer nominate Mr Mickey. Mickey’s comments towards me were effective and he said some pretty hurtful things.
“And I think one thing you really have to do in the Big Brother house is care about others, and him saying that flat out today honestly made the killer nomination choice pretty easy.” She added: “I feel like a lot of the public isn’t going to be too happy with Mickey after seeing how this day went, so I do think it’s possible that he could be evicted from the house. “But his time being cut short, that is the best case scenario for me.
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