Mickey Rourke may have exited the Celebrity Big Brother UK house, but he’s still the talk of the show. The actor, 72, rose to fame with roles in films such as 9 1/2 Weeks and The Wrestler. However, his latest career move included trying his hand at reality TV. Unfortunately, that didn’t go well. Instead, he found himself getting the boot after controversial comments about houseguest JoJo Siwa and other strange behavior.
What Happened on Celebrity Big Brother?
Mickey Rourke’s stint on Celebrity Big Brother UK was short-lived but eventful. He faced backlash for making homophobic remarks towards JoJo Siwa, including suggesting he could “turn” her straight and referring to her with a slur. Despite a formal warning from producers, his behavior escalated, leading to his removal from the show.
Mickey Rourke’s Legal Action Explained
Following his exit, Rourke is taking legal action against ITV, claiming he’s owed the remainder of his £500,000 fee. His manager, Kimberly Hines, stated that the network is refusing to pay the full amount, which Rourke finds “deeply disrespectful,” per People Magazine.
“In our discussions, Big Brother was made fully aware of Mickey Rourke’s background and lifestyle,” the statement continued. “Yet rather than handle it professionally, they took it too far — publicly embarrassing him and using his removal as a marketing tool. That’s not just unprofessional; it’s deeply disrespectful and damaging. To add insult to injury, Big Brother is now refusing to pay Mickey his full agreed-upon fee. His legal team is currently pursuing the matter,” Hines continued.
Public Reaction and Cultural Context
Rourke’s comments sparked widespread criticism, with viewers expressing outrage over his behavior. The incident highlights ongoing issues of homophobia in the media and the importance of holding public figures accountable.
“Oh please this man certainly did not give them what they paid for. He was a car crash and not even in a good for TV kinda way just cringe. He slept through most of his screen time. Go home you entitled prick,” one person wrote via X.
“He wasn’t removed bc they were trying to avoid full payment fee… he was removed for threatening someone,” another pointed out.
“He made threats and used slurs towards a fellow player, that behavior is not to be tolerated,” a third person wrote.
“Mickey’s suing over a paycheck? Dude probably thought reality TV was just a paid vacation, now he’s throwing a tantrum like a spoiled brat. Can’t make this up,” a fourth comment stated.
Rourke Isn’t The First Big Brother Star To Be Axed
This situation underscores the challenges of managing controversial figures in reality TV and the responsibilities of networks to enforce standards of conduct. It also raises questions about contractual obligations and the consequences of on-air behavior. As many Big Brother fans know, this isn’t the first time that a contestant has been removed for behavior and offensive language.
It remains to be seen if Mickey Rourke has any chance of getting more money out of his Celebrity Big Brother UK appearance. However, he’s certainly keeping things interesting with his legal battle.
