I’ve known Mickey Rourke for many years and, like everyone else, I was shocked to watch his homophobic and misogynistic remarks in the Celebrity Big Brother House.
The Hollywood actor, 72, made his big comeback to the spotlight on the ITV show but has already caused quite a stir with shocking comments made to JoJo Siwa.
He left the singer, 21, in tears during Wednesday’s episode after he insinuated he would be able to ‘make her straight’ and branded her a ‘f*g’.
Needless to say, his homophobic sentiment sparked outrage among viewers with many people calling for him to be ejected from the Big Brother house by producers.
He is also set to cause further fury during Thursday night’s episode as he will break the rules by refusing to put forward his nominations for eviction.
But, without excusing his conduct, I think Mickey should be given the chance to stay to learn from his mistakes and educate himself with the help of the housemates.
I’ve known Mickey Rourke for many years and, like everyone else, I was shocked to watch his homophobic remarks in the Celebrity Big Brother House, writes Lizzie Cundy (pictured)
Mickey (pictured) left JoJo Siwa, 21, in tears during Wednesday’s episode after he insinuated he would be able to ‘make her straight’ and branded her a ‘f*g’
Times have changed and you can’t get away with saying those types of comments, it’s a real life lesson for him being in there and it will help him.
Dance Moms star JoJo has already been praised for her mature reaction to the horrific situation, and you can already see her words have made an impact on Mickey.
It took that situation for Mickey to be able to hold his hands up and apologise for what he said, insisting he had no ‘dishonourable intentions’ but was just ‘talking smack’ – and I should know, he is quite the cheeky chap.
After many years of being able to get away with saying what he wants, surrounded by ‘yes men’ in Hollywood, his time in the house will no doubt be eye-opening for him.
I think it’s good that he stays in the house because it will help him – life has changed, we’ve all moved on and we can’t get away with saying offensive things anymore.
I’ve been on the receiving end of flirty comments from Mickey in the past, but I’ve never taken it in the wrong way and Mickey has been a very good friend to me over the years.
Years ago, Mickey was very kind to me when I was falling for a big sports star, memorable telling me: ‘You deserve better than that, you’re a Queen.’
He told me to have more respect for myself and love myself because, at that time, my marriage had just ended and I was very low.
But, without excusing his conduct, I think Mickey should be given the chance to stay to learn from his mistakes and educate himself with the help of the housemates (JoJo is pictured)
I’ve been on the receiving end of flirty comments from Mickey in the past, but I’ve never taken it in the wrong way and Mickey has been a good friend to me (Lizzie and Mickey are pictured)
Coming from him, that comment made me think and it really helped me, it just goes to show that there is a very kindhearted side to Mickey that people might not have seen.
His old cowboy hat is the same but times have moved on.
Mickey has got to learn from this, and staying in the Big Brother house could help him do just that.
Being surrounded by so many strong personalities, the cheeky chap has already been put in his place.
The housemates have rightly been supporting JoJo and I think you can already see how that has been affecting Micky.
There could be quite the redemption arc in store for him if he listens to the other celebrities and is open to what they have to say.
It’s been a difficult few days for Mickey in the house so far, but the housemates have done the right thing in explaining why his comments were wrong.
Mickey now has a chance to move on from his mistakes, and I hope he will be allowed to remain in the Big Brother house to do just that.
Life is a journey and I hope he’s able to learn from his old-school ways.
CELEBRITY BIG BROTHER 2025: MEET THE LINEUP!
MICKEY ROURKE
AGE: 72
FAMOUS FOR: The actor and former pro boxer is one of the show’s biggest ever signings and after public feuds with Robert De Niro, two marriages and a string of high profile relationships, he will be bringing plenty of drama.
DALEY THOMPSON
AGE: 66
FAMOUS FOR: The double Olympic gold-medallist is considered one of Britain’s greatest athletes. He broke the decathlon world record four times.
PATSY PALMER
AGE: 52
FAMOUS FOR: It’s an open secret that Patsy is leaving EastEnders, with the actress enjoying a wild leaving party this month. The Bianca Jackson star posted a snap of her character on Instagram with the caption: ‘Bye bye B, always grateful to see her again.’
DONNA PRESTON
AGE: 38
FAMOUS FOR: While Donna has featured in several TV shows and movies, the comedy star is known for hosting Apocalypse and for the role of a circus Compere in 2018’s Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald. She plays Den in Coronation Street, has featured in Pants On Fire in 2019 and even wrote and co-produced BBC Three’s Comedy Threesomes.
CHESNEY HAWKES
AGE: 53
FAMOUS FOR: The singer topped the charts for five weeks in 1991 with his hit The One And Only, before making a string of acting and TV appearances. His arrival on CBB has been described by a TV source as ‘perfect timing’, as he’s just released a comeback album
ANGELLICA BELL
AGE: 49
FAMOUS FOR: The TV presenter is said to have landed a staggering five-figure deal to appear on Celebrity Big Brother. Fans will be keen to see if the CBBC legend spills all on her untimely exit from The Martin Lewis Show – which left fans baffled back in 2023. Angellica currently co-presents Hits Radio while Fleur East is on maternity leave.
DANNY BEARD
AGE: 32
FAMOUS FOR: The RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner – whose real name is Daniel Curtis – has signed up as a late entry. Danny previously made headlines after swearing on Big Brother’s Late & Live last March whilst doing an impression of housemate Louis Walsh. The incident saw the guest say the word ‘c***’ before immediately apologising after being informed they weren’t allowed to say that on the show.
CHRIS HUGHES
AGE: 32
FAMOUS FOR: After shooting to fame on Love Island in 2017, Chris went on to become a sports presenter and regularly hosts the horse racing coverage on ITV.
JOJO SIWA
AGE: 21
FAMOUS FOR: The American singer, who shot to stardom on reality show Dance Moms, is expected to draw a big American audience. The hitmaker has made a name for herself in the U.S. pop charts and is known for her outlandish looks and being a vocal member of the LGBTQ+ community.
TRISHA GODDARD
AGE: 67
FAMOUS FOR: The talk show host regularly presented on ITV from 1998 to 2004 and then shifted to Channel 5 from 2004 to 2010. Trisha has been suffering horrible side effects of her chemotherapy – but has bravely battled on.
JACK P. SHEPHERD
AGE: 37
FAMOUS FOR: The actor has played David Platt in Corrie since 2000 and is following in his pal Colson Smith’s footsteps by taking part in the popular reality show. He has won a string of awards for the role including Best Actor at the British Soap Awards.
ELLA RAE WISE
AGE: 24
FAMOUS FOR: Producers have been keen to land the TV personality, who previously dated Pete Wicks and has had an on-off romance with Dan Edgar. Bosses are hoping the TOWIE star might reveal all about some of her other famous exes.
MICHAEL FABRICANT
AGE: 74
FAMOUS FOR: The former Conservative politician is understood to have signed a lucrative six-figure deal to take part after political stars were banned from the broadcaster’s other reality show, I’m A Celeb. He served as MP for Lichfield in Staffordshire from 1992 until his defeat in 2024 as well as vice-chairman of the party under David Cameron. But he is perhaps best known for his blond mop for which he has been widely ridiculed but previously denied is a wig.
