CBB to blame for Mickey Rourke exit as source blasts ‘they knew what they were doing putting him in with JoJo & Danny’
CELEBRITY Big Brother was playing with fire when they recruited Hollywood hellraiser Mickey Rourke, it was claimed last night.
The actor “agreed to leave” the ITV house on Saturday night amid concerns over his aggressive behaviour and language.
A source said: “Big Brother knew what was going to happen when they booked bad boy Mickey Rourke.
“They wanted a lion but expected him to act like a lamb.
“They knew what they were doing putting him in alongside young people when he’s 72 and from a totally different generation.
“He never intended to offend anyone and had every intention of staying in there.”
After leaving, Rourke threw an all-nighter to party with pals at a £600-a-night hotel.
He then slept through the drama he left behind — but woke to the realisation his £500,000 fee is likely to be slashed.
The 72-year-old had been summoned into the show’s Diary Room following an altercation with Love Island’s Chris Hughes, 32.
During a pirate task, Rourke accused Chris of giving him a side eye and ranted: “Don’t eyeball me. Don’t f***ing eyeball me, you c***.”
Rourke had already offended JoJo Siwa, Donna Preston and Patsy Palmer.
In the Diary Room, Big Brother said: “This is not the first time Big Brother has had to speak to you about your offensive and inappropriate language and as a result Big Brother has no option but to ask you to leave the Big Brother house.”
Rourke — who sparked 89 official complaints from viewers for leering over host AJ Odudu on launch night — said: “Yes sir. I did wrong. I apologise. I stepped over the line ’cause I lost my temper.
“I’ve been trying to work on it my whole life.
“I’m ashamed of myself for losing it for a few seconds there. Nobody got touched or hurt.
“I just wanna pack my bags and leave.”
Rourke had warned The Sun he had a temper before entering the house, admitting: “I need to chill the f*** out.”
Kimberly Hines, who has known Mickey for years, last week told The Sun: “Love him or hate him, Mickey Rourke is — and will always be — a cinematic icon.
“He stands as one of the last living legends in film, and his body of work will be remembered for generations.
“It’s important to honour the lasting impact he’s made on cinema, rather than judge him solely for his human flaws. After all, we’re all imperfect, and we all make mistakes.”
Mickey Rourke's Career Timeline
1970s: Early career
Mickey Rourke began his acting journey in 1971 after studying at the prestigious Actors Studio in New York, under the tutelage of Lee Strasberg. He appeared in minor roles in television shows and films to gain experience.
1978: Made his film debut with a small role in the Steven Spielberg-directed comedy-drama 1941.
1980s: Breakthrough and stardom
1981: Achieved recognition with his role as the arsonist Teddy Lewis in Body Heat, a neo-noir thriller starring William Hurt and Kathleen Turner.
1982: Delivered a critically acclaimed performance in Barry Levinson’s Diner, showcasing his talent and earning attention as a rising star.
1983: Played a memorable role in Rumble Fish, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, alongside Matt Dillon, Diane Lane, and Dennis Hopper.
1986: Starred in 9½ Weeks, a provocative romantic drama opposite Kim Basinger. The film became a cult classic, cementing his status as a Hollywood leading man.
1987: Gave a standout performance in Angel Heart, a psychological thriller directed by Alan Parker, co-starring Robert De Niro and Lisa Bonet.
1990s: Career decline and transition to boxing
1991: Mickey shifted focus from acting to professional boxing, citing dissatisfaction with Hollywood and the roles he was being offered.
He competed in several matches and sustained injuries during his career in the ring leading which led to an addiction to plastic surgery.
Throughout the 1990s, Rourke’s film appearances were sporadic and mostly in lesser-known or poorly received productions.
2000s: Career comeback
2000: Returned to the screen in supporting roles, including in The Pledge, directed by Sean Penn, and Get Carter alongside Sylvester Stallone.
2005: Achieved a major career revival with his performance as Marv in Sin City, a visually striking neo-noir film directed by Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller.
2008: Delivered an award-winning performance in The Wrestler, directed by Darren Aronofsky. Rourke played Randy “The Ram” Robinson, a washed-up professional wrestler seeking redemption. The role earned him a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
2010s: Continued success
2010: Portrayed the villain Ivan Vanko/Whiplash in Iron Man 2, starring alongside Robert Downey Jr.
2011: Appeared in Immortals, a fantasy-action film directed by Tarsem Singh.
Throughout the decade, Rourke continued acting in smaller films and projects, maintaining a presence in Hollywood while occasionally taking on eccentric or offbeat roles.
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