In brief
Rourke faced scrutiny after recent confrontations with fellow housemates, prompting a formal warning and ultimately his departure from the Big Brother house.
Hollywood actor Mickey Rourke has left the Celebrity Big Brother house after being involved in incidents of "unacceptable behaviour" and "further use of inappropriate language," as reported by ITV. The 72-year-old star reportedly displayed threatening and aggressive behavior towards fellow contestant Chris Hughes, though no physical confrontation occurred between them.Just days prior, Rourke had received a formal warning for using what was deemed "unacceptable language" directed at fellow contestant JoJo Siwa. Siwa, a well-known figure in pop culture, accused Rourke of making homophobic comments, such as suggesting he would "vote the lesbian out real quick," in reference to her and her sexuality. Hughes, a former Love Island contestant, had previously comforted Siwa after Rourke’s comments, reflecting the tension brewing in the house.A spokesperson for the show confirmed Rourke's departure, stating, "Mickey Rourke has agreed to leave the Celebrity Big Brother House this evening following a discussion with Big Brother regarding further use of inappropriate language and instances of unacceptable behaviour." Rourke joined the show on Monday alongside Siwa, Hughes, and additional celebrities.According to a transcript released by ITV ahead of a Wednesday episode, a troubling exchange occurred when Rourke asked Siwa about her preference in romantic partners. When she disclosed she liked "girls" and that her partner is non-binary, Rourke made a controversial remark suggesting that if he stayed longer than four days, she would "not be gay any more." Siwa firmly replied, "I can guarantee I'll still be gay and I'll still be in a very happy relationship."His remarks continued to escalate, referring to her with inappropriate language and gesturing towards her while making a comment about needing a "fag,” which he later claimed was about wanting a cigarette. After Hughes advised Rourke that his language was unacceptable, he attempted to clarify, stating, "I know. I was talking about a cigarette."Following this, Rourke was called into the diary room, where Big Brother admonished him for his "offensive and unacceptable" language and issued a formal warning. Rourke's response was one of apology, as he claimed he did not harbor "dishonorable intentions" and intended it as casual talk. Later, when Rourke returned to the house, Hughes informed him about Siwa's distress, to which Rourke expressed regret and apologized, admitting he had a "habit of having a short fuse." Siwa acknowledged his apology, illustrating a complex dynamic within the house as Rourke's comments led to heightened tensions and ultimately contributed to his departure from the reality television series.
