Mickey Rourke facing backlash for ‘body-shaming’ co-star after making homophobic slur towards JoJo Siwa
Warning: This article contains discussion of discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community which some readers may find distressing.
Mickey Rourke has made far from a good first impression on his fellow housemates in the Celebrity Big Brother house this week.
The latest season of the hit reality TV series kicked off on Monday (7 April) and, just three episodes in, Mickey has already been called out for his 'creepy' behaviour towards CBB host AJ Odudu, making homophobic comments towards JoJo Siwa and he's now being slammed after 'body-shaming' another contestant.
Last night's episode (9 April) saw the 72-year-old Sin City actor leave ITV viewers beyond disgusted when he asked 21-year-old JoJo, who identifies as a lesbian, about her sexuality by telling her that 'if [he stays] longer than four days, you won’t be gay anymore' before saying he would 'tie her up'.
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Later on, Mickey was heard telling former Love Islander Chris Hughes that he was 'going to vote the lesbian out real quick'.
JoJo overheard the nasty comment and was understandably upset, as she explained: "That’s homophobic, if that was your reasoning."
He then declared that he was going for a 'fag', before pointing to JoJo and saying 'I’m not talking to you' - later clarifying he was using the British slang term to mean cigarette and not the extremely homophobic slur.
He was later called to the diary room where he was issued with a formal warning about 'unacceptable language and behaviour' inside the house.
And if that moment wasn't enough for fans to be calling for Mickey to be axed from the TV show altogether, he also appeared to 'body-shame' Donna Preston during one conversation in the house together.
The 38-year-old British comedian was using an LED face mask which prompted Mickey to offer the unsolicited advice: "You'd probably be better off running round the block for ten minutes."
"I've got to try something. I'm getting a little turkey neck," Donna responded before Mickey added: "It comes with the territory."
Clearly confused by the comment, Donna asked: "What, life?"
"Yeah," Mikey replied, before continuing: "It's like they say, you are what you eat."
Donna was left visibly shocked by Mickey's remarks before fellow housemate, EastEnders actress Patsy Palmer, 52, intervened to stick up for her saying Donna was 'really healthy'.
Donna later admitted her shock to fellow housemates Danny Beard and Ella Rae Wise over Mickey's 'you are what you eat' comment.
Fans have since rushed to social media to call out Mickey's comments with one Twitter user sarcastically writing: "So Mickey has been homophobic towards JoJo, criticised Patsy's cooking, inadvertently calling Donna fat and called Danny scary in drag! What a nice man!"
"The fact Mickey used the word f@g not just once but TWICE said that Patsy Palmer's cooking is sh*te and THEN said Donna’s fat bro needs to just not speak at all," urged a second.
And a final Twitter user added: "I just realised Mickey has been homophobic, said Patsy's cooking is sh*t and called Donna fat all in THE FIRST DAY!!! Has he got his own bingo card he's trying to mark off???"
A Big Brother spokesperson told Tyla: "All Housemates receive Respect and Inclusion training and an extensive briefing from the Big Brother Senior team to prepare them for living in the House and to set out Big Brother’s expectation for appropriate behaviour and language.
"Housemates are monitored 24 hours a day and instances of inappropriate behaviour are dealt with appropriately and timely."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the LGBT Foundation on 0345 3 30 30 30, 10am–6pm Monday to Friday, or email [email protected]
Topics: Celebrity, Celebrity Big Brother, TV And Film, Reality TV, JoJo Siwa, ITV
Rhiannon Ingle