Topics: Mickey Rourke, ITV, JoJo Siwa, US News, UK News, Celebrity, Film and TV
Mickey Rourke is reportedly 'considering legal action' with a British broadcaster following his sudden ejection from the show that came after a row with another contestant.
The 72-year-old Hollywood actor was one of the biggest names to enter the Celebrity Big Brother house on April 7, and he hadn't even stepped foot on the premises before his behavior towards presenter AJ Odudu raised eyebrows.
Rourke would then go on to face his first formal Big Brother warning just 48 hours later after making homophobic comments towards fellow housemate JoJo Siwa - and his self-proclaimed 'short fuse' would continue to land him in hot water until producers decided to boot him out for good a little less than a week after his entrance.
During his short time in the house, the former boxer made some insensitive and ridiculing comments to comedian Donna Preston about her appearance and also reduced Patsy Palmer to tears in his critique of her cooking.
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However, it was a heated disagreement between Rourke and Love Island star Chris Hughes that prompted ITV to decide his time was up on the show.
Now, the Sin City star is reportedly considering legal action against the British broadcaster as it's unlikely he will be paid the full £500,000 (around $650,000) paycheck for his appearance, as per The Sun.
Rourke's rep Kimberly Hines said his team is 'weighing a lawsuit against ITV, the company that produces the show,' reports TMZ, as he is said to believe he should receive the full amount.
Ms Hines added that Rourke has been 'unjustly' denied the pay and allege he was 'deliberately removed just one day before he would become contractually eligible to receive a lot more money'.
In addition, his team claim ITV only contributed around £230 per night for hotel rooms after his exit.
The news outlet reported Rourke booked a swanky hotel in London for around £50,000 (about $66,200) and that he was promptly sent to the airport 'with barely a ride'.
The lawsuit comes as Rourke was removed from the show after getting into a heated exchange with Hughes, who had also rushed to Siwa's defence days earlier.
Rourke was apparently furious with the British reality TV star, telling him: "Don't f***ing eyeball me. You c***."
While other housemates could be seen trying to diffuse the situation, Hughes tells Rourke to 'f***ing stand there,' and Rourke snaps back that his 'a**' will be 'right there' while pointing to the ground.
Big Brother intervened saying that Rourke had to come to the diary room 'immediately' where producers say his behavior was 'threatening and aggressive' and highlighted prior 'inappropriate sexual language to Ella'.
Rourke replied: "Oh, I’m not aware of that but okay.”
Big Brother continued: "This language has caused offence to your fellow housemates and could cause offence to the viewing public. This is not the first time Big Brother has had to speak to you about your offensive and inappropriate language.”
"As a result Big Brother has no option but to ask you to leave the Big Brother house," they concluded.
Rourke also apologized from the diary room before his exit, saying he was 'ashamed' of his actions.
A spokesperson for Celebrity Big Brother has since suggested his removal was based on mutual agreement, saying in a statement: "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 behavior."
UNILAD has contacted Rourke's reps for comment.
