Mickey Rourke’s time in the Celebrity Big Brother house is officially over — and not in a blaze of glory. The 72-year-old actor was dramatically ejected from the house after what can only be described as a disastrous week of offensive comments, aggressive outbursts, and a complete inability to read the room — especially when it came to LGBTQ+ respect.
Rourke — whose career has been one long string of comebacks and controversies — crossed the line when he reportedly referred to Jojo Siwa, the openly lesbian singer and LGBTQ+ icon, with a slur that left both housemates and viewers stunned. Big Brother initially slapped him with a warning, but it didn’t take long for the Iron Man 2 star to go from problematic to completely unhinged.
The Final Straw? An Ugly Mix of Aggression and Sexist Jokes
The last episode painted a chaotic picture of Rourke spiraling out of control. After making sexual jokes to TOWIE star Ella Rae Wise — which even prompted Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard to step in with a stern “Mickey, you can’t make them jokes” — Rourke launched into a profanity-laden tirade during a pirate-themed challenge.
Eyeballing fellow housemate Chris Hughes, Rourke spat out the c-word like it was just another line in his tough-guy script. It wasn’t. With LGBTQ+ stars like Siwa and Beard desperately trying to de-escalate the situation, Big Brother finally called time on Rourke’s latest act of toxic masculinity.
In the Diary Room, Rourke attempted a weak apology: “I’m ashamed of myself… I did wrong. I apologise.” But Big Brother wasn’t buying the Hollywood remorse routine. The verdict? Pack your bags, Mickey.
Why This Matters for the LGBTQ+ Community
Reality TV is no stranger to scandal, but this wasn’t just drama for drama’s sake. Rourke’s actions — particularly the use of a slur targeting an LGBTQ+ cast member — reinforced the need for visible boundaries around hate speech, even in the entertainment world’s most chaotic spaces. Jojo Siwa, a Gen-Z queer icon, handled the ordeal with grace, becoming a symbol of resilience in the face of casual homophobia.
The swift action from Big Brother also sends a clear message: LGBTQ+ people don’t have to accept outdated, aggressive behavior — even from so-called legends like Rourke. In a world where queer representation in mainstream media is still hard-won, moments like these matter.
The Aftermath: A Cautionary Tale
Speaking after his exit, Rourke admitted, “I’m actually ashamed of myself for getting that hot. I went over the line.” Unfortunately for him, that line isn’t just about TV ratings — it’s about respect.
As LGBTQ+ viewers continue to demand better representation and safer spaces on screen, the CBB house saga proves that even the most famous names aren’t untouchable. Bad behavior gets called out. Hate gets shown the door.
And as for Jojo Siwa? She leaves this chapter exactly how queer icons should: unbothered, undefeated, and still shining brighter than ever.