Audiences have demanded the removal of Mickey Rourke after he used a homophobic slur on the show
BY HEBE HANCOCK, IMAGE BY ITV
A shocking moment on last night’s episode of Celebrity Big Brother UK has sparked national conversation after actor Mickey Rourke was issued a formal warning for making homophobic remarks toward fellow housemate JoJo Siwa.
The exchange began when Rourke, 72, questioned Siwa, 21, about her romantic preferences. When Siwa responded, “Girls. My partner is nonbinary,” Rourke replied, “If I stay longer than four days, you won’t be gay anymore.” Siwa quickly retorted, “I can guarantee I’ll still be gay and I’ll still be in a very happy relationship.”
Tensions escalated further when Rourke was overheard saying, “I’m going to vote the lesbian out real quick,” which Siwa directly challenged as homophobic. Mickey made a further comment which used a homophobic slur, gesturing at Siwa, which drew immediate outrage from viewers and housemates alike.
TV personality Chris Hughes, 32, jumped to her defence, interjecting: “You can’t do that, Mickey.” Sitting beside a visibly shaken Siwa, Hughes wrapped an arm around her in support as the other housemates looked on in silence. Siwa eventually broke down in tears, a moment that left viewers stunned.
ITV has confirmed that Rourke was called to the Diary Room and issued a formal warning for “offensive and unacceptable” language. Producers stated that any further incidents could result in his removal from the show. Rourke later apologised both in the confessional and to Siwa directly, insisting he was “just talking smack” and “didn’t mean it out of meanness.”
Online, the backlash was swift. Many have called for Rourke’s immediate removal, with one viewer writing on X: “Absolutely disgraceful, making a young woman feel like that just for being herself? Mickey needs to be kicked out ASAP.”
Siwa, a vocal LGBTQIA advocate, has been praised for her calm, firm response to homophobia. With Lesbian Visibility Week approaching, the moment has reignited conversations about representation, allyship, and the importance of calling out casual homophobia when it happens — on national TV or anywhere else.
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