Oscar-nominated actor Mickey Rourke was given a warning by manufacturing on-set of the truth collection Celebrity Big Brother U.Ok. after he directed a number of homophobic feedback towards fellow housemate, JoJo Siwa.
In a clip from the truth present, Rourke could be heard asking Siwa whether or not she likes boys or women.
“Me? Girls. My partner is non-binary,” Siwa informed Rourke within the footage.
“If I stay longer than four days, you won’t be gay anymore,” Rourke, 72, mentioned to Siwa.
“I can guarantee I’ll still be gay, and I’ll still be in a very happy relationship,” Siwa, 21, replied.
Later within the episode, Rourke informed fellow housemate Love Island star Chris Hughes that he’s “going to vote the lesbian out real quick,” which Siwa overheard and mentioned to Rourke, “That’s homophobic, if that was your reasoning.”
Rourke then mentioned loudly, “I need a f**,” and gestured in the direction of Siwa and mentioned, “I’m not talking to you.”
Hughes jumped in and informed Rourke that he mustn’t say that, to which Rourke retorted he meant he wanted a cigarette.
“One breath at a time, troops, one breath at a time,” Siwa could be heard saying within the clip.
After Rourke left the yard space, Hughes went to verify in on Siwa and as she began to cry, he gave her a giant hug.
“It’s crazy to me that still exists,” Siwa mentioned.
Once Rourke reentered the home, Big Brother mentioned over the audio system: “This is Big Brother, would Mickey come to the Diary Room?”
“Mickey, do you understand how this language could be offensive to your housemates or the viewing public?” Big Brother requested Rourke as soon as he was within the diary room.
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The Oscar-nominated actor mentioned he understood, including, “if I meant it in a nasty kind of way or if I meant it.”
“Big Brother thinks your language was offensive and unacceptable,” Big Brother informed Rourke. “As a result, Big Brother is giving you a formal warning.”
“Right, I understand that. I apologize. I don’t have dishonourable intentions. I’m just talking smack, you know?” Rourke mentioned.
After leaving the Diary Room, Rourke informed his castmates that he received “chewed out,” “big time.”
He then approached Siwa and apologized to her.
“I want to apologize. I just got a bad habit of having a short fuse. I don’t mean nothing by it,” Rourke mentioned to Siwa.
The pair shook fingers and Siwa mentioned, “Thank you, I appreciate your apology.”
In an announcement to Variety, a spokesperson for ITV, which airs Celebrity Big Brother U.Ok., mentioned, “All housemates obtain respect and inclusion coaching and an intensive briefing from the Big Brother senior crew to organize them for dwelling in the home and to set out Big Brother’s expectation for acceptable behaviour and language.
“Housemates are monitored 24 hours a day and instances of inappropriate behaviour are dealt with appropriately and timely.”
Fans of the truth collection expressed their frustration with Rourke on social media, calling for him to be faraway from the present.
‘Celebrity Big Brother U.K.’ airs weeknights at 9 p.m. BST on ITV1 and ITVX.
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