Celebrity Big Brother is officially back – and in the past week we’ve seen a new selection of famous (and not-so-famous) faces live together in the reality show house.
Controversial contestant Mickey Rourke, 72, has been the cause of significant controversy after he was issued a formal warning by Big Brother for making homophobic comments directed at 21-year-old Dance Moms star JoJo Siwa during Wednesday night’s episode (9 April).
On Saturday (12 April), it was revealed he had been kicked off the show by producers after an “unacceptable” run-in with Chris Hughes. Rourke grew irate when Hughes “eyeballed” him during a shopping task.
The controversy began with Rourke “ogled” the reality show’s co-host AJ Odudu upon his entrance, which had caused viewers to call for the actor to be axed from the series. One person wrote on X/Twitter: “He should be removed for this. It’s disturbing, particularly after how he was with AJ, too.”
In a statement, a spokesperson for the programme told The Independent: “All Housemates receive Respect and Inclusion training and an extensive briefing from the Big Brother Senior team to prepare them for living in the House and to set out Big Brother’s expectation for appropriate behaviour and language.
“Housemates are monitored 24 hours a day and instances of inappropriate behaviour are dealt with appropriately and timely.” Rourke’s representatives declined to comment.
While many thought Rourke would get the boot during Friday night’s eviction, former Tory MP Michael Fabricant was eliminated.
The series continues on Sunday at 9pm on ITV and ITVX.
Key Points
- Mickey Rourke removed from Celebrity Big Brother after ‘unacceptable’ housemate row
- Michael Fabricant evicted despite Mickey Rourke's pleas
- Mickey Rourke issued formal warning on Celebrity Big Brother after homophobic comments
- COMMENT: Mickey Rourke’s appalling homophobia is ITV’s shame to bear
- Meet the housemates
Mickey Rourke ejected from ‘CBB'
Saturday 12 April 2025 22:33
,
Jacob Stolworthy
Mickey Rourke has been kicked off Celebrity Big Brother after an “unacceptable” run-in with Chris Hughes.
It was announced on Saturday (12 April), that the Hollywood actor “has agreed to leave” the show following a discussion with Big Brother regarding further use of inappropriate language and instances of “unacceptable behaviour”.
While the specific incident that led to Rourke’s departure is yet to be revealed, it’s believed it occurred during a disagreement with Love Island star and sports broadcaster Hughes.
Rourke’s behaviour during the interaction “was considered to be threatening and aggressive”, although it’s been stressed that “no physical altercation took place”.
More here:
‘Celebrity Big Brother’ starts later tonight
20:13
,
Jacob Stolworthy
Tonight’s episode is airing at 10pm, not 9pm!
Mickey Rourke’s ‘CBB’ removal was inevitable
20:00
,
Jacob Stolworthy
The long-running reality show has always welcomed fallen US names like the Oscar nominee, but there is a gentle sensitivity to the star of The Wrestler and 9½ Weeks – and a frustrating propensity for self-sabotage – that makes his rumoured appearance on the new series acutely depressing, writes Adam White
Read the full piece here:
AJ Odudu addresses Mickey Rourke’s inappropriate Celebrity Big Brother behaviour
19:30
,
Jacob Stolworthy
Before Mickey Rourke even entered the Big Brother house, he was the subject of controversy after he “ogled” at co-host AJ Odudu.
Read more below:
Celebrity Big Brother: The most controversial moments
19:00
,
Jacob Stolworthy
Previous iterations of the show have created TV gold, from Tiffany Pollard’s iconic “David’s Dead” misunderstanding to George Galloway and Rula Lenska‘s creepy cat cosplay.
As many high points as the show has had, there have also been moments of high controversy. Here’s a rundown of some of the most memorable...
Read more below:
First footage of the row that led to Mickey Rourke’s removal
18:15
,
Jacob Stolworthy
ITV has released the first look at tonight’s episode, which will show the events that led to Mickey Rourke’s deaprture
In the preview, the actor can be seen getting irate when Chris Hughes, for unknown reasons, stares at Rourke during a shopping task. Rourke the proceeds to stand directly in front of Hughes, asking him: “You looking at me?”
Danny Beard, sensing something amiss, tells Rourke “He was joking.” But Rourke says to Hughes: “Don’t eyeball me. Don’t f***ing eyeball me, c***.’
Hughes tells Rourke to “f***ing stand* back in his place, who then says: “What did you say? He had to mouth his last f***ing word. What are you gonna do, you c***?”
Everything you need to know about this year's cast
18:04
,
Ellie Muir
Find out all you need to know about the remaining housemates.
Read more below:
What did Mickey Rourke say to JoJo Siwa?
17:30
,
Ellie Muir
Mickey Rourke’s first formal warning came during Wednesday night’s episode when he used a homophobic slur directed at JoJo Siwa.
Rourke suggested he could turn Siwa straight, before announcing he “needs a fag” and pointing at Siwa, saying, “I’m not talking to you.” He also remarked that he would “vote the lesbian out” of the show.
Read more below:
Michael Fabricant says he's missing his 'CBB' housemates
15:38
,
Ellie Muir
Michael Fabricant, who was eliminated on Friday, has said that he is missing his Big Brother housemates and wants to go back in.
“Missing Danny, Jack, Donna, Jo Jo and nearly all of the others,” he wrote on X/Twitter. “I WANT TO GO BACK IN.”
Missing Danny, Jack, Donna, Jo Jo and nearly all of the others.
— Michael Fabricant (@Mike_Fabricant) April 13, 2025
I WANT TO GO BACK IN‼️ #CBBUK pic.twitter.com/tIekeVoEPx
JoJo Siwa’s partner Kath Ebbs calls Mickey Rourke ‘a dangerous person’
15:29
,
Ellie Muir
JoJo Siwa’s partner Kath Ebbs branded Mickey Rourke a “dangerous person” following his homophobic comments directed at the Dance Moms star during Wednesday night’s episode.
Siwa’s partner Ebbs, who is non-binary, has issued a furious video online criticising Big Brother for airing “dangerous language”, calling Rourke’s comments “beyond disgusting”.
Read more below:
ITV’s response to Mickey Rourke’s homophobic comment
15:00
,
Jacob Stolworthy
Before Mickey Rourke’s ejection from Celebrity Big Brother, he was given a formal warning – and an ITV spokesperson said in response: “All Housemates receive Respect and Inclusion training and an extensive briefing from the Big Brother Senior team to prepare them for living in the House and to set out Big Brother’s expectation for appropriate behaviour and language.
“Housemates are monitored 24 hours a day and instances of inappropriate behaviour are dealt with appropriately and timely.”
Mickey Rourke’s bizarre Trump story
13:30
,
Jacob Stolworthy
Mickey Rourke’s bizarre verdict on Donald Trump has resurfaced after the actor’s stint on Celebrity Big Brother.
Throughout his week on the show, Rourke has also been asked by his fellow contestants about his Hollywood career as well as his views on Donald Trump, whom he is not a fan of.
Viewers were then left wondering about a certain situation after his cryptic comments in the Diary Room, in which he claimed he was visited by the Secret Service for bad mouthing the US president
According to the actor: “I got myself in some hot water back in the United States making some comments about a particular person I’m not gonna mention. But it was no laughing matter when the Secret Service came and talked to me.”
Mickey Rourke’s ‘CBB’ removal was inevitable
14:00
,
Jacob Stolworthy
Ahead of Rourke’s Celebrity Big Brother entrance, The Independent’s Adam White wrote how The Wrestler and 9½ Weeks star had a frustrating propensity for self-sabotage – and how being on the shwo could be his “most horrific career decision yet”.
Read the full piece here:
Mickey Rourke was ‘saved’ from eviction after opening up about his childhood
13:00
,
Jacob Stolworthy
CBB viewers believe Mickey Rourke might have saved himself from being evicted on Friday after opening up about his childhood and his “fear of not being able to fix everything before I go”.
Chris Hughes praised for pushing back against Mickey Rourke comments
12:30
,
Jacob Stolworthy
Days before a run-in that would result in Mickey Rourke being ejected from Celebrity Big Brother, Chris Hughes was praised for defending JoJo Siwa from his homophobic comments.
Hughes, who rose to fame on season three of Love Island in 2017, appeared to be the only housemate to step in and intervene, telling Rourke, “Mickey, you can’t say that.”
AJ Odudu addresses Mickey Rourke ‘ogling’ furore
12:00
,
Jacob Stolworthy
AJ Odudu professionally handled a situation that saw Mickey Rourke “ogle” her during the Celebrity Big Brother launch show.
The moment was addressed on aftershow Late & Live when comedian Alan Carr, who was on the show’s panel, said: “Can we talk about Mickey Rourke looking at you? Wow his eyes. Find someone who looks at you the way Mickey looks at you. His tongue was hanging out.”
Odudu responded: “It literally was. I was like, “You can’t afford these feathers, Mickey, no!’”
Graham Norton once named Mickey Rourke as one of his toughest interview
11:20
,
Jacob Stolworthy
Irish TV host Graham Norton previously revealed that he struggled to interview Mickey Rourke, describing the Wrestler actor as “hard work” due to the fact he had drunk half a bottle of Jack Daniels upon his arrival to the Graham Norton Show studios.
“I just happened to be standing there when he got out of the car and he was holding a bottle of Jack Daniels, which is already worrying.
“But then we noticed the bottle of Jack Daniels was half-empty. It soon became very clear where that Jack Daniels had gone.”
Rourke appeared on the series in 2008 alongside Jessica Biel and Martha Wainwright.
Mickey Rourke’s hefty ‘CBB’ salary ‘in dispute' after removal
10:50
,
Jacob Stolworthy
Mickey Rourke was this year’s star Celebrity Big Brother signing, with the actor receiving a reported £500,000 to enter the house.
But, according to reports, his removal from the show – after an “aggressive” row with fellow housemate Chris Hughes – might affect how much he’ll receive.
A source told The Sun: “If a celebrity gets removed from the house, they don’t get the full fee. It’s as simple as that and they will be discussing that with him.
“Mickey was ready to leave the house and it ended up feeling like a mutual decision between him and ITV in the end. It was getting too much.”
Mickey Rourke took aim at Patsy Palmer’s cooking
10:20
,
Jacob Stolworthy
During his time in the Celebrity Big Brother house, Mickey Rourke routinely complained about EastEnders actor Patsy Palmer’s cooking.
Rourke told his fellow housemates, including Palmer, that Big Brother “needed to work” on delivering better meals, unaware that it was actually Palmer who had been cooking.
Days later, Rourke proceeded to tell Palmer that she “can’t cook”, adding: “Not even a little bit.”
Palmer got emotional about the comments in the Diary Room.
Mickey Rourke admitted he didn’t like ‘The Wrestler'
09:42
,
Jacob Stolworthy
When Mickey Rourke’s housemates asked him about his acting career, he admitted he wasn’t a fan of The Wrestler.
The news might come as a surprise to many, considering the film saw him receive an Oscar nomination – but according to the actor, the rigorous shoot of the Darren Aronofsky film left him feeling like he was “dying”
“I wasn’t that big a fan of it,” he told his fellow housemates. “The last day of working on The Wrestler, I was sitting in my living room in New York and I was on the couch shaking, and crying, and hyperventilating, and exhausted. I felt like I was dying.”
Mickey Rourke received ‘warning’ for homophobic comments before removal
09:37
,
Jacob Stolworthy
Mickey Rourke’s jokes were branded one of the most shocking reality TV moments in years.
“It’s unedifying car-crash television that should have never made it’s way to air,” writes Louis Chilton.
Why did Mickey Rourke go on ‘Celebrity Big Brother’?
09:30
,
Jacob Stolworthy
Ahead of his five days in the house, Mickey Rourke candidly opened up about reason for saying yes to ITV reality show.
He took accountability for the fact he is no longer offered big Hollywood roles, admitting to The Sun: “I’ve made mistakes – many. I have nobody to blame for my ship sinking except myself.”
More here:
Friday 11 April 2025 23:30
,
Louis Chilton
And... that’s about it!
Before anyone feels too sorry for the first casualty of Celebrity Big Brother 2025, Fabricant was also the man responsible for this:
Friday 11 April 2025 23:00
,
Louis Chilton
Let’s look back at some of Michael Fabricant’s, um, “highlights” from the house.
There was the time he discussed his “wig”
Friday 11 April 2025 23:00
,
Louis Chilton
Mickey Rourke REMAINS in the house, despite his best efforts. After the other day, many would argue he’s lucky to still be allowed to continue.
Friday 11 April 2025 22:25
,
Louis Chilton
With Michael Fabricant have been voted out of the house – no, not the House of Commons, this time – here’s a look at who’s left on this year’s Celebrity Big Brother.
Friday 11 April 2025 22:16
,
Louis Chilton
So ends another thrilling instalment of Celebrity Big Brother. There’s another episode on Sunday, much to Mickey Rourke’s total chagrin
Friday 11 April 2025 22:14
,
Louis Chilton
All very chummy. Some pretty depressing political whitewashing going on.
Look at the left of the screen though! JoJo Siwa stans come prepared.
Friday 11 April 2025 22:08
,
Louis Chilton
“I’m sad. We’ve all become so close friends, and I love everyone there. We really bonded.”
If he says so...
Friday 11 April 2025 22:01
,
Louis Chilton
It’s Michael Fabricant who’s off!
Mickey Rourke must be gutted; he was on his knees begging for eviction.
Friday 11 April 2025 21:58
,
Louis Chilton
“I’m not good around crowds of people I don’t know, and I don’t like being told what to do.”
It does beg the question... why on earth has he signed up for this?
Friday 11 April 2025 21:58
,
Louis Chilton
How does Mickey feel that he’s up for eviction?
“Absolutely terrific.”
Friday 11 April 2025 21:56
,
Louis Chilton
Was struggling for a simile there, fear I might have gone too niche...
Friday 11 April 2025 21:56
,
Louis Chilton
Michael Fabricant taking a breather from the bleakest party this side of Bodies Bodies Bodies
Friday 11 April 2025 21:52
,
Louis Chilton
The vote is now CLOSED. Who will it be?
Friday 11 April 2025 21:49
,
Louis Chilton
Lots of memes going around about that one
‘And then Mickey Rourke told Patsy Palmer that she couldn’t cook broccoli’ #cbbuk pic.twitter.com/SHH3Xv1AOl
— Jack Miller (@jackryanmiller) April 11, 2025
Friday 11 April 2025 21:46
,
Louis Chilton
Patsy really upset by the interaction with Rourke...
Friday 11 April 2025 21:45
,
Louis Chilton
JoJo Siwa doing a reverse Mrs Doubtfire as “Billy”. Mickey Rourke is none the wiser
Friday 11 April 2025 21:42
,
Louis Chilton
JoJo Siwa doing some dancing. She’s not pulled out her most infamous moves yet but there’s still time
Friday 11 April 2025 21:38
,
Louis Chilton
Mickey Rourke lying sideways on the floor. He does not want to be there.
Friday 11 April 2025 21:32
,
Louis Chilton
Viewers arguing over whether or not what Michael said was Islamophobic. Some definitely agreeing with Trisha.
Trisha is absolutely on the money, the "don't try and change our way of thinking" is 100% an Islamophobic trope, she has some balls to say it so directly! #CBBUK
— Alby (@WowGrape90791) April 11, 2025
Friday 11 April 2025 21:27
,
Louis Chilton
Trisha accuses him of “slipping into Islamophobia” as he starts to wang on about preserving British culture.
Everyone else seems to think he was being fairly innocuous.
“She was stereotyping me,” he complains, being of course one of those oft-forgotten victims of prejudice: Tory MPs.
Friday 11 April 2025 21:23
,
Louis Chilton
Michael making some kind of faux-election speech.
Embarrassing stuff. Awful. Everybody seems to be walking away
Friday 11 April 2025 21:20
,
Louis Chilton
Ok we’re back from ads, and voting is still going on...
Friday 11 April 2025 21:19
,
Louis Chilton
What kind of a name is Chesney anyway? Wikipedia tells me it’s derived from Old French chesnaie, meaning “oak grove”.
Who said liveblogs can’t dabble in etymology?
Friday 11 April 2025 21:16
,
Louis Chilton
Banter banter banter, laugh laugh laugh.
If you are in line to vote, STAY IN LINE
Friday 11 April 2025 21:13
,
Louis Chilton
“I’ve loved every minute so far,” says Jack, with a weariness that suggests that is, well, not the case.
Friday 11 April 2025 21:11
,
Louis Chilton
Rourke in the diary room talking about rock ‘n’ roll. He’s dressed for rock ‘n’ roll at least...
Friday 11 April 2025 21:08
,
Louis Chilton
Scratch that, he’s left the room and seems in a rather dark mood
Friday 11 April 2025 21:08
,
Louis Chilton
Mickey doesn’t seem too thrilled about this whole power cut malarky. Chesney’s singing might perk him up?
Friday 11 April 2025 21:05
,
Louis Chilton
Lots of boos for Mickey Rourke...
Friday 11 April 2025 21:02
,
Louis Chilton
And we’re off! But who will be off remains to be seen...
