Mickey Rourke’s time in the Celebrity Big Brother house has come to a sudden and controversial end following a series of disturbing incidents. The 72-year-old actor, once celebrated for his roles in Hollywood blockbusters, has now become the center of an explosive controversy on ITV’s reality show. After receiving a formal warning for using offensive language earlier in the week, Rourke was ultimately asked to leave the program after further inappropriate remarks and troubling behavior. The decision was reportedly made after a conversation with producers who concluded that his continued participation would be untenable given the escalating nature of his conduct.
The controversy intensified following an altercation involving fellow contestant Chris Hughes during a group task. While no physical altercation took place, Rourke’s tone and language during the exchange were considered aggressive and threatening. This wasn’t an isolated case either. His behavior throughout the week had already raised concerns among viewers and fellow housemates. A spokesperson confirmed that Rourke voluntarily exited the show after being confronted about multiple instances of unacceptable behavior, reinforcing the production’s commitment to maintaining a respectful environment.
Public backlash reached a boiling point after Wednesday’s episode aired, revealing deeply offensive comments Rourke made to 21-year-old singer and dancer JoJo Siwa regarding her sexuality. During the interaction, Rourke crudely suggested that if he stayed in the house longer, he could change her sexual orientation—a comment that was not only insensitive but blatantly homophobic. Siwa, taken aback, called out the actor’s behavior immediately. Rourke doubled down with even more vulgar remarks, including threatening language and slurs, leading to widespread condemnation across social media and among fans of the show. Though he later issued an apology and received an official warning, the damage had already been done.
Rourke’s offensive remarks weren’t limited to Siwa. He also made disparaging comments about the physical appearance of another contestant, Donna Preston, and was caught exhibiting inappropriate behavior toward show host AJ Odudu. During his initial appearance, viewers were quick to criticize his unsettling gaze, which prompted Odudu herself to address it directly on air. Such conduct only added to the growing discomfort surrounding Rourke’s presence in the house. These mounting concerns led to calls from viewers demanding his immediate removal, with many arguing that his continued involvement was a disservice to the values the show claimed to uphold.
The final straw appeared to come after a particularly cruel exchange with EastEnders actress Patsy Palmer, during which Rourke made repeated jabs about her cooking, ultimately reducing her to tears. For many viewers, this marked a clear pattern of mean-spirited and hostile behavior. Online reactions were swift and intense, with fans voicing outrage that Rourke was allowed to remain on the show after his earlier comments. In the end, public pressure and behind-the-scenes evaluations led to his exit. The incident has sparked a wider conversation about what is considered acceptable on reality television—and the responsibility networks have to protect their contestants from harmful behavior.