Fans of Celebrity Big Brother were shocked at hearing Mickey Rourke would be joining this year’s housemates – and even more stunned by his initial actions. The Hollywood veteran, 72, caused uproar with an uncomfortable moment with host AJ Odudu.
AJ had to tell the actor to “stop looking at me” before he tried to take her into the house with him. His actions led to a backlash from viewers, with some saying they wanted him kicked off the show. However, with the star set to stay, he has revealed his reasoning behind his appearance.
Mickey, who is best known for his roles on movies such as 9 1/2 Weeks and The Wrestler, admitted his career is “in the toilet,” claiming his “short fuse” had led to fractured relationships within the showbiz industry.
He believes this has left him unable to bag roles in any top films and speaking to the Sun about his Celebrity Big Brother appearance, he said: “It was between this or a really bad independent movie, and I’ve had it up to here with really bad independent movies.”
He added: “There’s directors I want to work with and have them not be afraid of me and trust me for who I am today, not for the reputation I have. I’ve made mistakes, many, I have nobody to blame for my ship sinking except myself.”
His words echo his introductory video for the ITV series. In it, he said: “I don’t take orders very well, but if everyone is nice and respectful we can have a good time.
“As long as nobody pushes the envelope because the envelope has a very short fuse.” He also revealed Ray Winstone told him he just had to “be yourself” to enjoy the experience.
On launch night, his actions upset many watching at home. Among those commenting was comedian Alan Carr, who told the show’s spin-off series, Late and Live: ” Can we talk about Mickey Rourke looking at you? Wow his eyes.
“Find someone who looks at you the way Mickey looks at you [AJ]. His tongue was hanging out.”
AJ quickly responded: “It literally was. I was like ‘You can’t afford these feathers Mickey, no!”
Despite AJ making light of the situation, fans took to Twitter/X to share their displeasure at his actions. One user wrote: “Scared for all the women in that house now with how Mickey was with AJ on live television mind you.”
And there is already tension brewing in the house between other members. RuPaul Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard admitted to being full of nerves when he entered on Monday, but insisted was excited to get stuck into the social experiment show.
Yet just hours after entering the house, it seems Danny had an unwanted reception from one housemate after Olympian Daley Thompson made a comment to him that sent his head into a spin.
Danny was seen confiding in comedian Donna Preston aas he explained the situation. He told Donna that earlier in the living room they mistakenly thought Mickey Rourke was selecting them and Daley said to Danny: “Not everything is about you”.
Speaking to Big Brother in the diary room shortly after, Danny admitted: “I think I’ve tried to make an effort with everybody, but I heard Daley make a comment like ‘well not everything revolves around you’ and, I don’t know if I’m overthinking it…
“I can sense or I feel like he’s a bit wary of me and that’s fine cause maybe I’m also a little bit wary of him.”
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