Celebrity Big Brother viewers have slammed the ITV show over keeping Mickey Rourke in despite his recent scandal. The Hollywood actor has caused nothing but drama since entering the ITV house on Monday night. He shocked fans when he made a very uncomfortable entrance into the house as he appeared to grab onto host AJ Odudu, who told him: “Stop looking at me.”
While in the house, Mickey has been hit with a formal warning from show bosses after making a vile homophobic remark to JoJo Siwa. Many viewers branded his warning not strong enough and urged for him to be kicked off the show. Former Dance Moms star JoJo was left in tears by Mickey’s comment towards her during Wednesday’s episode.
JoJo was able to get her ultimate revenge, however, as she put Mickey up for eviction alongside Michael Fabricant and Jack P Shepherd. The first eviction will take place on Friday night, yet some fans have accused show bosses of trying to keep Mickey in.
Celebrity Big Brother’s official social media account shared a clip featuring Danny Beard and Mickey as they had a heart to heart. The drag icon told Mickey he’d made special connections in the house, and the account added heart emojis.
Fans were not impressed as one said: “No matter what he’s been through, keeping him on this show is perpetuating bigotry and SA.” Another added: “Yeah let’s forget what he did and make him look innocent sure.”
Someone else commented: “He should have been removed immediately.” A fourth wrote: “His words were nothing less than a threat towards JoJo. It’s disgusting, and disappointing to see you try to give him some kind of idiotic redemption arc. Get him out of there!”
The Mirror understands that ITV programmes are tightly regulated and subject to strict compliance that would not allow results to be fixed.
Mickey has bagged the highest pay cheque out of all the housemates for appearing on the show, according to reports. He’s set to pocket a staggering £500,000 for his time.
On the latest episode, Mickey appeared to try and make amends for his behaviour as he blamed insomnia and opened up on his childhood trauma. He declared he would “pay millions of dollars” to be able to sleep properly at night as JoJo asked what keeps him awake.
Mickey replied “fear” as he explained: “My childhood… The fear of not being able to fix things before I go. When I was 14, after all the abuse I went through, I put my finger on the hard button because I didn’t want to live in shame. I didn’t want to be a victim anymore.”
In the shocking homophobic moment from earlier in the week, Mickey asked JoJo: “Do you like girls or boys?” After revealing that her partner is non-binary, Mickey responded: “If I stay longer than four days, you won’t be gay anymore.”
He later asked Chris Hughes if everyone has to vote one another out of the house. Mickey said: “I’m going to vote the lesbian out real quick.” JoJo, who overhears, told him: “That’s homophobic, if that was your reasoning,” while Chris told Mickey he can’t say that.
After asking JoJo where the smoking area is, Mickey exclaimed: “I need a fag.” He then gestured to JoJo and said: “I’m not talking to you.” The moment left JoJo in tears, while Chris comforted her. Shortly after the remark, Mickey was called to the Diary Room by Big Brother, and given a stern warning.
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