The drama surrounding Mickey Rourke’s abrupt departure from Celebrity Big Brother on April 12, 2025, has taken a new twist with former housemate Michael Fabricant disclosing a never-before-aired comment the actor made before his exit. Fabricant, the ex-Tory MP evicted just a day earlier, shared the revelation on This Morning on April 14, hinting that Rourke’s mindset was set on leaving far earlier than viewers realized. This unaired remark, coupled with Fabricant’s claim that ITV didn’t broadcast the full extent of Rourke’s behavior, has reignited fan debates about the Hollywood star’s chaotic six-day stint. Drawing from reports by The Mirror, Daily Mail, and posts on X, this article unpacks Fabricant’s bombshell, the context of Rourke’s exit, and why the comment matters.
Fabricant’s Revelation
Appearing on This Morning alongside Big Brother host Will Best, Michael Fabricant, 74, spoke to presenters Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary about Rourke’s removal, which followed a foul-mouthed rant at Chris Hughes and inappropriate sexual remarks to Ella Rae Wise. Fabricant described Rourke as “completely unpredictable” and “on another planet,” but dropped a bombshell about an early conversation that didn’t make the final edit. “He told me on Monday that he was going to be out on Thursday,” Fabricant revealed, quoting Rourke as saying, “Hey man, I never read no contracts, it’s what my agent told me.” When housemate Jack P. Shepherd asked if it was in his contract, Rourke reportedly shrugged it off, suggesting he either misunderstood or ignored the show’s terms. This comment, made days before his April 12 exit, implies Rourke had mentally checked out from the start, aligning with Fabricant’s earlier X post: “He wanted to leave on Day One!”
Fabricant’s disclosure paints Rourke as disengaged, a sentiment echoed in his claim that not all of Rourke’s offensive behavior aired. Responding to an X user about Rourke’s homophobic slur toward JoJo Siwa, Fabricant wrote, “Yeah, but that wasn’t said in isolation,” hinting at more unaired incidents. While he didn’t specify further, the suggestion that ITV edited out additional outbursts has fueled speculation about what else Rourke said or did, especially given his clashes with Siwa, Hughes, and Wise. Fans on X reacted swiftly, with one posting, “If Mickey said he’d be out by Thursday, why didn’t ITV pull him sooner? They let him stir chaos for ratings.” Another questioned, “What else did he say that we didn’t see? Michael’s spilling tea!”
The Context of Rourke’s Exit
Rourke’s removal stemmed from multiple infractions, culminating in a pirate-themed task on April 12 where he swore at Chris Hughes, 32, calling him a derogatory name over a perceived “side-eye.” Earlier that day, he’d made Ella Rae Wise, 24, uncomfortable with sexual remarks, prompting her to tell the Diary Room, “I’m a young girl, not a piece of meat.” These followed a formal warning for homophobic comments to JoJo Siwa, 21, including saying he’d “vote the lesbian out real quick” and using a slur he claimed meant “cigarette.” In his exit interview, aired on April 13, Rourke apologized, saying, “I lost my temper. … I’m ashamed of myself,” but admitted he’d pushed to leave, telling Big Brother, “I wanted to leave yesterday actually but I wasn’t chosen.” His £500,000 fee was reportedly cut to £50,000, per The Sun, reflecting the breach of conduct clauses.
Fabricant’s revelation about Rourke’s Monday comment suggests the actor was already plotting an exit, possibly as early as April 7, his second day in the house. This aligns with fan observations during Fabricant’s own eviction on April 11, when some spotted Rourke lingering near the exit, as if trying to leave with him. “Mickey wants out so bad, he pretended to leave with Michael,” one X user wrote, per Daily Mail. Rourke’s pre-show interview with The Sun, where he admitted his “short fuse” and said, “My career is in the toilet,” further supports the idea that he wasn’t committed, viewing Big Brother as a quick payday rather than a comeback.
Why the Comment Matters
The unaired remark—“Hey man, I never read no contracts”—is telling for several reasons. First, it underscores Rourke’s casual disregard for the show’s structure, a trait evident in his rule-breaking, from discussing nominations to ignoring warnings. His claim that his agent set expectations for a Thursday exit suggests either miscommunication or deliberate defiance, as Big Brother contracts typically require a three-week commitment unless evicted or removed. Second, it reinforces Fabricant’s narrative that Rourke was a loose cannon, unpredictable yet oddly candid, as seen in quirks like smuggling chocolate that melted onto his mic, which Fabricant also mentioned on This Morning.
The comment also fuels debate about ITV’s handling of Rourke. Fans and critics argue producers kept him despite clear warning signs—his VT warning of a “short fuse,” his Masked Singer self-unmasking in 2020, and his early house tensions—to milk drama for ratings, which hit 1.74 million for his exit episode, per Radio Times. “Mickey told Michael he’d be gone by Thursday, and ITV still let him torment JoJo and Ella,” one X user posted. Others defend Fabricant’s sympathy, noting his tearful plea that Rourke “did nothing wrong,” though this drew backlash for downplaying harm to Siwa and Wise. Jessalynn Siwa’s fear of physical escalation and Kath Ebbs’ “dangerous person” label highlight the stakes, making Fabricant’s revelation a flashpoint for whether Rourke was mismanaged or misunderstood.
House Fallout and Fabricant’s Role
Rourke’s exit shifted house dynamics, with Siwa packing his bags calmly and Trisha Goddard shouting, “Told you!” when his departure was announced. Fabricant, despite his eviction, remained a vocal figure, using X to express missing housemates like Danny Beard and JoJo while defending Rourke’s character. His “on another planet” comment reflects a fondness for Rourke’s eccentricity, perhaps because both felt like outsiders—Fabricant with his wig jokes, Rourke with his Hollywood baggage. Yet, Fabricant’s claim about unaired behavior has drawn scrutiny, with some fans on X asking, “If Michael knew Mickey was worse, why not call it out then?” Others see him as loyal, with one tweeting, “Michael’s just being real—Mickey was a mess, but he liked the guy.”
Fabricant’s own controversies, like clashing with Trisha Goddard over immigration, didn’t overshadow his Rourke defense, but they contextualize his blunt style. His This Morning appearance, paired with posts like “I WANT TO GO BACK IN,” shows he’s capitalizing on the spotlight, with Express reporting interest in him for I’m a Celebrity. Meanwhile, Rourke’s post-exit antics—making a crude gesture in London, per Daily Mail—suggest he’s unrepentant, making Fabricant’s revelation a rare glimpse into his mindset before the storm.
Bigger Picture
The unaired comment exposes reality TV’s editing dilemmas. A 2023 Variety analysis noted 60% of viewers suspect manipulated narratives, and Fabricant’s claim that “what you saw wasn’t even half of it” feeds this skepticism. ITV’s decision to omit Rourke’s early exit talk could’ve been to preserve suspense, but it risks accusations of shielding his volatility too long. A 2024 Ofcom report flagged rising complaints about reality show conduct, and Rourke’s case, sparking Ofcom scrutiny per The Mirror, may force tighter casting rules. For Rourke, the comment cements a pattern of self-sabotage, from quitting Masked Singer to tanking indie films like Wheels of Heaven, per The Sun.
As Celebrity Big Brother airs weeknights at 9 PM, the house moves on, with Ella’s nomination drama and Danny Beard’s odds surging. Fabricant’s bombshell, though, keeps Rourke’s shadow alive, proving even unaired words can echo loudly. Was it a throwaway line or a deliberate clue to Rourke’s unraveling? Fans may never see the full tape, but the revelation ensures his exit remains anything but quiet.
