Mickey Rourke’s participation in the current series of Celebrity Big Brother has come to an abrupt end, resulting in a reduction of his anticipated £500,000 fee. The 72-year-old actor was asked to leave the ITV competition following a pattern of concerning conduct.
Rourke’s departure occurred just six days into his time inside the house, shortly after Michael Fabricant’s removal due to allegations of Islamophobia.
ITV is now reassessing Rourke’s compensation; standard practice dictates that celebrities removed from the show for behavioral reasons do not receive their full contractual payment, unlike those who are officially evicted through public voting.
“Mickey won’t be receiving all his money from ITV. If a celebrity gets removed from the house, they don’t get the full fee. It’s as simple as that and they will be discussing that with him,” an insider revealed to The Sun.
Sources suggest Rourke was amenable to leaving, indicating a shared decision between himself and producers who reportedly found his actions increasingly challenging.
A spokesperson for Celebrity Big Brother confirmed the situation: “Mickey Rourke has agreed to leave the Celebrity Big Brother House this evening following a discussion with Big Brother regarding further use of inappropriate language and instances of unacceptable behaviour.”
The controversy began early in his appearance, marked by several contentious remarks. Initial concerns arose after he made derogatory comments towards 21-year-old singer JoJo Siwa, suggesting her sexuality would change if she remained on the show for an extended period and stating his intention to have her removed.
Following this incident, Rourke received a formal warning and subsequently apologized. However, escalating issues culminated in what was described as “threatening and aggressive” behavior towards Love Island star Chris Hughes during a challenge-related disagreement, though no physical contact occurred.
Insiders have stated that the actor had previously been cautioned about his conduct in scenes not broadcast to viewers, with reports suggesting he threatened to damage property within the house.
- Rourke’s behavior wasn’t limited to his interactions with Siwa and Hughes.
- He reportedly upset EastEnders actress Patsy Palmer with repeated criticism of her cooking skills.
- Comments regarding Donna Preston’s weight also drew negative attention.
- His initial arrival on the show was met with immediate concern, as viewers noted what they described as unsettling behavior towards host AJ Odudu, requiring her to politely request he stop staring at her.
Rourke’s situation echoes previous instances where reality stars have had their fees reduced or forfeited due to removal for problematic conduct; Roxanne Pallett and Jeremy Jackson being prior examples.
