The 2025 season of Celebrity Big Brother has been a rollercoaster of drama, but no storyline has gripped viewers quite like Mickey Rourke’s abrupt departure after just six days in the house. The Hollywood icon, known for his Oscar-nominated role in The Wrestler, was initially set to pocket a jaw-dropping £500,000 for his stint on the ITV reality show, making him the highest-paid contestant. However, his exit on April 12, 2025, following a string of controversies, has reportedly slashed his paycheck to a fraction of that amount—potentially as low as £50,000. This article dives into the events leading to Rourke’s removal, the financial fallout, fan reactions, and the broader implications for the show, drawing from reports by The Mirror, The Sun, and social media buzz.
Mickey Rourke is said to be in talks with CBB bosses over his final pay considering he only entered the house ‘for the money’(Image: ITV/REX)
A Turbulent Week in the House
Mickey Rourke, 72, entered the Celebrity Big Brother house on April 6, 2025, alongside stars like JoJo Siwa, Chris Hughes, and Patsy Palmer. His arrival was marred by controversy from the start when fans accused him of inappropriate behavior toward host AJ Odudu, with one X post noting, “Mickey’s entrance was the strangest ever. Poor AJ.” Things escalated quickly as Rourke’s interactions with housemates turned volatile. Within days, he was issued a formal warning for homophobic remarks directed at JoJo Siwa, 21, after saying, “If I stay longer than four days, you won’t be gay anymore,” and gesturing toward her while using the slur “f*g.” Siwa, openly pansexual, was left in tears, prompting Chris Hughes to intervene, saying, “You can’t say that, Mickey.”
Rourke apologized to Siwa, admitting his “short fuse” in the Diary Room, but the damage was done. Fans flooded X with outrage, one writing, “A warning isn’t enough. Mickey’s comments were disgusting—remove him now!” His behavior didn’t stop there. He made fat-shaming remarks to Donna Preston, suggesting she “run around the block” instead of using an LED face mask, and reduced Patsy Palmer to tears by mocking her cooking. The final straw came during a pirate-themed task on April 12, when Rourke reacted to a playful side-eye from Chris Hughes, 32, with aggressive language, reportedly calling him a “c**t” and escalating tensions. Though no physical altercation occurred, ITV deemed his behavior “threatening and aggressive,” leading to his removal.
Mickey was the highest paid star on the show with a £500,000 fee – but might end up with just £50,000 thanks to his pro rata contract(Image: REX/Shutterstock for Big Brother)
The Paycheck Plummet
Rourke’s contract reportedly guaranteed him £500,000, a sum reflecting his status as a Hollywood heavyweight despite his self-admitted career slump. He told The Sun before entering, “My career is in the toilet. … I’ve made mistakes—many.” The hefty fee was meant to cover his participation until the finale on April 25, but Celebrity Big Brother rules are clear: celebrities removed for misconduct don’t receive the full amount. Sources told The Sun, “Mickey won’t be receiving all his money from ITV. If a celeb gets kicked out, they don’t get the full fee. It’s as simple as that.” Estimates suggest his payout dropped to £50,000, a 90% cut calculated on a pro-rata basis for his six days out of the planned 19-day run.
“Mickey didn’t do it for the experience—he was counting on that money,” an insider revealed to The Mirror. The financial hit stings doubly hard given Rourke’s admission that he borrowed $500,000 to stabilize his finances, choosing Big Brother over “a really bad independent movie.” His early exit not only cost him financially but also reignited scrutiny of his erratic behavior, with some fans speculating he wanted out all along. Unearthed footage showed him asking Ella Rae Wise and Angellica Bell about nominations, counting down days until he could leave. One X user commented, “Mickey was stunned there were five more days till eviction. He was done.”
A Mutual Exit?
ITV’s official statement framed Rourke’s departure as consensual: “Mickey Rourke has agreed to leave the Celebrity Big Brother House this evening following a discussion with Big Brother regarding further use of inappropriate language and instances of unacceptable behaviour.” In the Diary Room, Rourke expressed regret, saying, “I blame myself. … I’m ashamed of getting that hot. I just wanna pack my bags and leave.” He even noted he’d wanted to exit the previous day but wasn’t chosen for eviction. This led some, like former housemate Michael Fabricant, to claim on X, “He wanted to leave on Day One.”
However, fans are skeptical of the “mutual decision” narrative. One X post read, “ITV booked Mickey for drama, then slashed his fee when he delivered exactly what they wanted. Hypocritical much?” Another argued, “Mickey’s £500k was bait for headlines. They knew he’d implode—now they’re saving money.” The controversy boosted viewership, with Plymouth Live reporting a schedule shift to 10 PM on April 13 to capitalize on the fallout, suggesting ITV may have benefited from the scandal despite docking Rourke’s pay.
Fan and Housemate Reactions
The house was a powder keg during Rourke’s tenure. Ella Rae Wise, 24, confided to Big Brother that his “sexual jokes” made her feel “on edge,” saying, “I’m a young girl, not a piece of meat.” Patsy Palmer’s emotional Diary Room session highlighted her struggle to “rise above” his jibes. JoJo Siwa, despite her clash with Rourke, showed empathy after he shared stories of childhood abuse, but her nomination of him for eviction spoke volumes. Chris Hughes, who faced Rourke’s wrath, later broke rules by discussing nominations, earning a punishment announced on the show’s X account.
On social media, opinions split. Some fans celebrated Rourke’s exit, with one tweeting, “Good riddance to Mickey. His behavior was vile—JoJo and Ella deserved better.” Others felt ITV exploited him, noting, “They paid Mickey to be a loose cannon, then punished him for it. Shady.” Former MP Fabricant hinted at unseen incidents, replying to a fan on X, “What you saw wasn’t even half of it,” suggesting Rourke’s televised antics were toned down. This fueled theories that producers shielded Rourke initially to milk his star power, only to cut him loose when backlash grew too loud.
Broader Implications
Rourke’s axing raises questions about Celebrity Big Brother’s casting strategy. The show thrives on polarizing figures, but Rourke’s behavior—homophobic slurs, aggression, and inappropriate comments—crossed lines that sparked Ofcom complaints, per The Mirror. A 2024 Ofcom report noted rising viewer concerns about reality TV conduct, and Rourke’s case may push ITV to tighten vetting. Yet, his presence undeniably drove buzz, with Radio Times reporting a viewership spike post-exit, suggesting a calculated risk paid off.
For Rourke, the fallout adds to a career marked by self-sabotage. The Independent called his Big Brother stint “acutely depressing,” citing his history of squandered comebacks post-The Wrestler. His Instagram, filled with dog photos and tributes to icons like Muhammad Ali, paints a softer side, but his reality TV gamble backfired. Returning to Los Angeles on April 13, he was photographed making a crude gesture to passersby, per Daily Mail, hinting his contrition may have been fleeting.
The financial angle also resonates in a broader context. Reality TV fees are often inflated to lure big names, but pro-rata clauses protect networks from early exits. A 2023 Variety piece on reality show contracts noted similar penalties for misconduct, suggesting Rourke’s case isn’t unique. Fans wonder if he’ll rebound or fade further, with one X post musing, “Mickey’s £50k might fund a new indie film—or just his dogs’ treats.”
What’s Next for Celebrity Big Brother?
With Rourke gone, the house refocuses on remaining stars like Trisha Goddard, who shared a racist attack story, and the Ella-JoJo-Chris triangle fueling drama. Coronation Street’s concurrent scandals mirror the show’s chaos, but Big Brother’s real-time stakes keep it ahead. ITV’s Monday return to 9 PM aims to retain viewers hooked by Rourke’s exit, with betting odds from Radio Times favoring Danny Beard or Goddard to win.
Rourke’s slashed paycheck is a cautionary tale for celebrities banking on reality TV redemption. His £450,000 loss underscores the cost of crossing lines in a house where every word is watched. As fans debate whether he was set up or self-destructed, one thing’s clear: Mickey Rourke’s Celebrity Big Brother saga will be remembered as much for its price tag as its controversies.
