Mickey Rourke’s brief and controversial stint on Celebrity Big Brother came to an explosive end on Sunday after a string of disturbing incidents left both housemates and viewers deeply uncomfortable. The 72-year-old actor’s exit was sealed following inappropriate remarks made to fellow contestant Ella Rae Wise, which left the TOWIE star visibly upset and in tears.
After being kicked out of the iconic house on Sunday, Mickey has now been seen in public for the first time – and it appears that he may not have learned his lesson just yet. The controversial star was seen grabbing his crotch in the street on Monday morning in a crude gesture to a passerby.
Suggesting that perhaps his apology was not sincere, Mickey was photographed grabbing his crotch while standing in the street after arriving to London before making his way to the airport to head back to the US. Mickey looked slightly disheveled as he was seen in his signature baggy blue jeans and a worn-in grey zip-up. The star finished off the look with a pair of cowboy boots.
Despite inappropriately grabbing his crotch, Mickey appeared in high spirits after being kicked out of the Celebrity Big Brother house as he was seen smiling and waving at fans in the street before hopping into a vehicle. In classic Mickey style, he wore a pair of huge oversized sunglasses in an attempt to hide his tired eyes.
Although Mickey had already shocked fans with erratic and offensive behaviour – including an incident where he touched host AJ Odudu, and a homophobic slur aimed at singer JoJo Siwa – his explicit comments to 24-year-old Ella proved to be the final straw for show producers.
In one unsettling moment during a pirate-themed task, Ella read out instructions to the group: “I have instructions for us all. We’re not allowed in the bedroom, no one is allowed to touch the crisps or sweets.” Rourke responded with, “I don’t like them,” to which Ella playfully replied, “You’ve got to come with me!” His reply – “Come in you?” – left the room stunned.
Drag Race’s Danny Beard immediately called him out: “Mickey, you can’t make them jokes.” Shaken, Ella later confided in the diary room: “He’s making me feel on edge. I’m a young girl. I’m not a piece of meat. He’s making people feel so uneasy.”
ITV confirmed Mickey had been removed following what they described as “threatening and aggressive” conduct – particularly during a confrontation with Chris Hughes. The two had clashed after Rourke accused the Love Island alum of “eyeballing” him, ultimately calling him a “c***” in a heated exchange that forced Big Brother to intervene.
Even before this, many fans had taken to social media calling for his removal, especially after he referred to lesbian contestant JoJo Siwa using a homophobic slur. The tension in the house had been steadily mounting.
After being summoned to the diary room, Mickey admitted his wrongdoing. “Yes sir. I did wrong. I apologise. I’m sorry. I can’t take it back, you know, I stepped over the line. And I take responsibility for doing the wrong thing. ‘Cause I lost my temper, and I’ve been trying to work on it my whole life and I wish I would have had better self-control and I’m very sorry.”
He added: “I’m ashamed of myself for losing it for a few seconds there. Nobody got touched or hurt. Maybe some feelings got hurt or maybe others have feelings about others getting upset but, you know, I’m sorry about that.”
Big Brother’s response was firm: “Big Brother considers your language and behaviour today to be seriously unacceptable and as a result Big Brother has no option but to ask you to leave the Big Brother house. Mickey, is there anything else you’d like to say?”
A spokesperson for the show later confirmed: “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.” Mickey didn’t protest the decision – his departure marked a dramatic end to a turbulent time in the house.
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