Featured Image Credit: ITV
Topics: Mickey Rourke, Bella Thorne, Film and TV, Celebrity
Callum Jones
Warning: This article contains discussion of discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community which some readers may find distressing.
Mickey Rourke has officially left the Celebrity Big Bother house after a series of offensive, incondonable comments on the reality TV show.
ITV announced on Saturday (April 12) the actor had 'agreed to leave' CBB after 'a discussion with Big Brother regarding further use of inappropriate language and instances of unacceptable behaviour'.
The Hollywood star has been booted off the show after an 'unacceptable' disagreement with Love Island star and sports broadcaster, Chris Hughes.
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While it remains unclear at this stage what exactly has gone on, what we do know is that Rourke had already said a ton of controversial and inappropriate comments in the Big Brother house.
Rourke initially faced some backlash for his homophobic comments towards his Celebrity Big Brother co-star, JoJo Siwa.
The Iron Man 2 star asked the 21-year-old singer about her sexual orientation, to which Siwa replied that she liked her girls and has a non-binary partner.
"If I stay longer than four days, you [Siwa] won't be gay anymore," Rourke then said.
Siwa replied: "I can guarantee I'll still be gay and I'll still be in a very happy relationship," to which Rourke answered: "I'll tie you up."
He then made comments about how he was 'going to vote the lesbian out real quick', which Siwa dubbed 'homophobic'.
Rourke was called into the diary room and issued a warning by Big Brother following the interaction, who said: "Further language or behaviour of this nature could lead to you being removed from the Big Brother house."
The actor issued an apology, which Siwa ultimately accepted.
Comedian Donna Preston was lying in bed with an LED face mask when Rourke appeared to 'body-shame' his fellow CBB contestant.
"You'd probably be better off running round the block for 10 minutes," Rourke said before stating it 'comes with the territory'.
"It's like they say, you are what you eat," the actor added, a comment which evidentially left the comedian feeling rather uncomfortable - which is a reasonable reaction.
Rourke entered the Big Brother house on April 7 and before he'd even entered the premises he had caused some controversy for the way he acted towards co-presenter, AJ Odudu.
The actor ogled Odudu as she chatted to him before he headed into the house, leading to the presenter having to tell him to stop looking at her. Not exactly a good first impression, but it clearly didn't get any better, with viewers branding his behavior 'unacceptable'.
One user said on X: "JoJo Siwa being subjected to homophobic bigotry from Mickey Rourke was a hard watch."
Another said: "Confused on why there are so many mickey rourke defenders …"
And a third simply added: "There’s just no f***ing support for women nowadays."
Following Rourke's eviction from CBB, Bella Throne - who worked with Rourke on the 2020 movie Girl - has taken to social media to make a series of allegations about her co-star.
Posting on Instagram this week, Thorne wrote: "This f**king dude. GROSS. I had to work with this man – In a scene where I’m on my knees with my hands zip-tied around my back. He’s supposed to take a metal grinder to my kneecap, and instead he used it on my genitals thru my jeans. Hitting them over and over again."
Thorne continued to say that the ordeal left her with 'bruises on [her] pelvic bone' and branded working with Rourke as 'one of the all-time worst experiences of my life working as an actress'.
A representative for Rourke has since stated the 72-year-old denies any wrongdoing.
In a statement issued to Variety, a rep for the actor said: "These allegations are extremely serious. Mr. Rourke adamantly denies any intentional misconduct. He was not made aware of any such concerns during filming and had no prior knowledge of Ms. Thorne’s discomfort until now."
Rourke’s rep continued: "Out of respect for all parties and given the gravity of the claims, Mr. Rourke will not be making further public comment at this time. He remains willing to cooperate with any appropriate inquiry through the proper channels.
"We affirm the right of every performer to feel safe and respected in their work environment."