rewrite this title ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ Gives Mickey Rourke Formal Warning Over “Homophobic” Remarks To JoJo Siwa

Mickey Rourke entered the UK Celebrity Big Brother house in chaotic style on Monday, oggling presenter AJ Odudu and stopping to high-five fans of the show. Less than two days later, he was given his first formal warning by the production team.

The Wrestler and Iron Man 2 star is comfortably Celebrity Big Brother’s most eye-catching booking, but upset fellow housemate JoJo Siwa with language that the singer considered to be “homophobic.” Rourke was called into the diary room, where he was admonished by Big Brother and told that he risks being kicked off the show if the behavior is repeated.

During an exchange that will air tonight on ITV, Rourke asked Siwa if she liked “girls or boys,” to which the Dance Moms star replied: “Me? Girls. My partner is non-binary.” Rourke continued: “If I stay longer than four days, you won’t be gay anymore.” Siwa snapped back: “I can guarantee I’ll still be gay and I’ll still be in a very happy relationship.”

Rourke later asked another housemate, reality star Chris Hughes, if he has to vote out one of his living companions. “I’m going to vote the lesbian out real quick,” he added. Overhearing the comment, Siwa said: “That’s homophobic, if that was your reasoning.” Rourke then said: “I need a fag.” He gestured to Siwa and added: “I’m not talking to you.” Hughes called him out on the comment, to which Rourke replied: “I know. I was talking about a cigarette.” 

The actor was called to the diary room, where Big Brother said: “Big Brother thinks your language was offensive and unacceptable … As a result, Big Brother is giving you a formal warning. Further language or behaviour of this nature could lead to you being removed from the Big Brother house.” Rourke responded: “I apologize. I don’t have dishonorable intentions – I’m just talking smack you know. I wasn’t taking it all so serious. I didn’t mean in it any bad intentions and if I did, sorry.”

He later apologised directly to Siwa: “I want to apologise. I’ve got a habit of having a short fuse. And I don’t mean nothing by it. I do mean it [sorry]. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t say it to you.” Siwa said: “I appreciate your apology.” 

Rourke is no stranger to using the F-word slur. In 2011, he was captured by TMZ using the word to verbally attack someone on camera.