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Topics: Film and TV, JoJo Siwa, LGBTQ, UK News, US News, Mickey Rourke
Mickey Rourke has been slammed online and given a warning on a British TV show after making a homophobic comment towards another contestant.
The 72-year-old Hollywood actor has come under fire for making offensive remarks towards JoJo Siwa in the Celebrity Big Brother house.
The Oscar-nominated celeb entered the UK reality TV show on Monday (April 7) alongside the social media personality and 11 other stars.
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But 21-year-old Siwa accused Rourke of making 'homophobic' comments to her after referencing her sexuality and saying he was 'going to vote the lesbian out real quick.'
In Wednesday night's episode, Rourke asked Siwa about her sexuality to which she replied she is interested in women and has a non-binary partner.
He then replied: "If I stay longer than four days, you won't be gay any more."
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Siwa snapped back: "I can guarantee I'll still be gay and I'll still be in a very happy relationship."
"I'll tie you up," Rourke replied.
The Barfly star from New York then made the comment about voting her out twice based on her sexuality, which Siwa slams as 'homophobic.'
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Moments later, Rourke indicates he wants to go to the smoking area.
"I need a fag," he said, before pointing at Siwa and adding: "I'm not talking to you."
British Love Island star Chris Hughes then warned Rourke about the offensive tone to which the actor replied: "I know. I was talking about a cigarette."
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After he leaves, Siwa can be seen visibly upset from the interaction and hugs Hughes in tears.
The show has since slapped Rourke with a formal warning for his 'offensive and unacceptable' language in an early preview of the transcript of the next episode released by ITV.
Big Brother told him: "Further language or behaviour of this nature could lead to you being removed from the Big Brother house."
Rourke apologised while in the diary room, putting his comments down to 'talking smack.'
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"I apologise. I don't have dishonourable 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."
Hughes also told him Siwa was 'very upset' by the comments.
Rourke later apologised to Siwa and said he 'didn't say it out of meanness.'
He continued: "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 responded: "I appreciate your apology."
Dozens of viewers have since blasted Rourke on social media.
"JoJo Siwa being subjected to homophobic bigotry from Mickey Rourke was a hard watch," one comment read.
"I can’t believe I am watching 21 year old JoJo Siwa educate 72 year old Mickey Rourke on the word f*g at 9:50pm on a Wednesday night on ITV1," said another.
Others said they took further issue with the dark connotations Rourke made about 'tying' Siwa up.
"Mickey Rourke’s comments towards Jojo Siwa and her sexuality is nothing short of dangerous/disgusting. You can’t justify it and it’s not even remotely funny. Fair play to Chris for calling him up on his behaviour," said a third.
A Big Brother spokesperson told LADbible Group: "All Housemates receive Respect and Inclusion training and an extensive briefing from the Big Brother Senior team to prepare them for living in the House and to set out Big Brother’s expectation for appropriate behaviour and language.
"Housemates are monitored 24 hours a day and instances of inappropriate behaviour are dealt with appropriately and timely."