Celebrity Big Brother star Mickey Rourke issued formal warning for homophobia
He was slammed for his behaviour even before entering the house too.
Mickey Rourke has been given a formal warning on Celebrity Big Brother after making homophobic remarks directed at JoJo Siwa.
The Hollywood star, 72, has already come under fire for his behaviour towards host AJ Odudu during Monday’s premiere after he repeatedly grabbed her and acted ‘inappropriately’ towards her.
Now, a few days on, he’s been issued a warning for using a homophobic slur.
On tonight’s episode of the show, he is speaking to JoJo, 21 when he makes comments about her sexuality.
‘Do you like girls or boys?’ he questions.
JoJo, who went public with partner Kath Ebbs a few months ago, replies: ‘Me? Girls. My partner is non-binary.’
He was reprimanded for making comments about JoJo Siwa’s sexuality (Picture: Shutterstock for Big Brother)He then says: ‘If I stay longer than four days, you won’t be gay anymore.’
Hitting back, JoJo pushes back against his comment and says: ‘I can guarantee I’ll still be gay, and I’ll still be in a very happy relationship.’
Later speaking to Chris Hughes in the garden, Mickey says he is going to ‘vote out the lesbian real quick’.
Overhearing the exchange, JoJo tells him: ‘That’s homophobic, if that was your reasoning.’
Jumping in, Chris tells him ‘you can’t do that’, before Mickey says he needs a ‘fag’, meaning a cigarette.
However, he then gestures to JoJo, telling her ‘I’m not talking to you’ – seemingly in reference to the f word that’s used as a derogatory slur against the gay community.
Chris Hughes called out the Hollywood star (Picture: Shutterstock for Big Brother)Reprimanded by Chris, Mickey then says he was ‘talking about a cigarette’ but his comment leaves JoJo upset.
Shortly after the exchange in the garden, Big Brother calls Mickey to the Diary Room.
‘Mickey before you entered the Big Brother house the rules regarding unacceptable language and behaviour were explained to you,’ he is told.
After the entire exchange is read back to him, he is then asked: ‘Mickey, do you understand how this language could be offensive to your Housemates or the viewing public?’
‘Yeah I think so. If I was saying it in a nasty kind of way or if I truly meant it,’ he replies.
The actor is then told that his language was ‘offensive and unacceptable’, with Mickey then saying ‘alright. I understand that’.
He was then warned he could be removed from the house (Picture: Shutterstock for Big Brother)Big Brother then explains: ‘As a result, Big Brother is giving you 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?’
He then replies: ‘Yes I do. It’s some serious stuff.’
After being asked if there is anything he’d like to say, Mickey apologises.
‘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.’
Comment nowDo you think Mickey Rourke should be kicked off Celebrity Big Brother?Comment NowMaking his return to the group, Mickey declares he’s been ‘chewed out’, with Trisha Goddard telling him: ‘I guess it’s not what you say. It’s how it lands.’
He then says his comments were not ‘said out of meanness’.
‘I understand you might have thought it would be uninsulting but it’s the way it’s perceived on other people. JoJo was very upset earlier, bless her,’ Chris tells him.
After Mickey offers JoJo a brief apology, she makes it clear his comments were out of line.
Earlier this week he also came under fire for ‘inappropriate’ behaviour targeting host AJ Odudu (Picture: Vianney Le Caer/ Shutterstock)‘As a future, using the word f** is not an acceptable word,’ she said.
After this the rest of the housemates sit down with Mickey ‘in an attempt to help him understand why his comments were offensive’.
He goes on to pull JoJo aside and say: ‘I want to apologise. I’ve got a habit of having a short fuse. And I don’t mean nothing by it. I do mean it [sorry]. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t say it to you.’
Saying she ‘appreciates’ his apology, JoJo then tells Mickey: ‘Anything is ok to say in context and intention – that’s what matters. And if you say something wrong but you didn’t know and you’re open to hearing – all good!’
Celebrity Big Brother continues tonight at 9pm on ITV1.
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