He has already proved a divisive figure just two days into a turbulent stint on Celebrity Big Brother.
And it turns out Hollywood star Mickey Rourke has also been getting special treatment as he makes his mark on his housemates.
Not content with reportedly being paid more than his fellow celebs, the actor, 72, demanded the property be adapted to make room for an on-site gym designed to meet his strict specifications.
Adopting a detailed health regime after previously taking steroids for the 2008 film The Wrestler, Mickey has been shedding the pounds lately and CBB bosses were more than happy to grant his request if it guaranteed the star’s appearance.
The actor told The Sun ahead of his big entrance: ‘I’ve asked for a certain amount of gym equipment, a couple of benches and some weights and some sit up benches and stuff.
‘Fitness is really important to me as it helps my anxiety. I have panic attacks too but training really helps settle my mind.’
Hollywood star Mickey Rourke has been getting special treatment on Celebrity Big Brother as he makes his mark on his housemates
Adopting a strict health regime lately, the actor (pictured, on Monday, with AJ Odudu and Will Best) has been shedding the pounds
Mickey has stated his desire to ‘make the fourth quarter in life’ by working out twice a day and sticking to a diet of fish and vegetables, after his wild party days took their toll.
He has also raved about 11-day fasts where he lives on just water, saying: ‘I feel amazing afterwards – re-energised. I don’t get angry. It focuses me.’
The star is reportedly being paid £500,000 for his appearance on CBB, 20 times more than TOWIE favourite Ella Rae Wise’s reported fee of £25,000.
Bosses previously justified their back-breaking efforts to land Mickey, saying: ‘Mickey is considered a loose cannon, and producers think he is worth getting their big cheque book out for.
‘He is unpredictable, and they know lots of people will tune in to see if he cracks under the pressure.’
The actor was criticised for his ‘creepy behaviour’ on Monday’s launch night when he leered at show host AJ Odudu and wrapped his arm around her waist.
Elsewhere, Mickey has been issued a warning by Big Brother after making homophobic slurs towards JoJo Siwa in Wednesday night’s episode of Celebrity Big Brother.
In scenes set to air, Mickey is heard chatting with the singer, 21, who identifies as a lesbian, as he insinuates he will be able to ‘make her straight’ after spending a few days with him in the house.
Not content with reportedly being paid more than his fellow celebs, Mickey demanded the property be adapted to make room for an on-site gym
The actor made headlines with his ‘creepy’ behaviour towards host AJ Odudu, which sparked a hugely negative reaction from fans on social media
Mickey has been issued a warning by Big Brother after making homophobic slurs towards JoJo Siwa in Wednesday night’s episode of Celebrity Big Brother
Discussing her sexuality, Mickey asks the influencer: ‘ Do you like girls or boys?’ as she replies: ‘Me? Girls. My partner is non-binary.’
Insinuating he will be able to change her sexuality, Mickey then insists: ‘If I stay longer than four days, you won’t be gay anymore.’
JoJo then replies: ‘I can guarantee I’ll still be gay and I’ll still be in a very happy relationship.’
Later in the garden, Mickey asks Chris if everyone has to vote one another out of the house as the Wrestler star confesses: ‘I’m going to vote the lesbian out real quick.’
Yet JoJo overhears as she hits back: ‘That’s homophobic, if that was your reasoning.’
Defending JoJo, Chris interjects, ‘You can’t do that Mickey,’ yet the star is undeterred as he adds: ‘I need a fag’ before gesturing to JoJo and adding: ‘I’m not talking to you.’
As Chris once again hits back saying, ‘Mickey, you can’t say that.’ Mickey replies: ‘I know. I was talking about a cigarette.’
While JoJo is left visibly upset by the exchanged as Chris comforts her, Mickey is then called to the Diary Room and is issued a warning.
Big Brother says: ‘ Mickey before you entered the Big Brother house the rules regarding unacceptable language and behaviour were explained to you.’
He then reads back the entire exchange to Mickey and then says: ‘Mickey, do you understand how this language could be offensive to your Housemates or the viewing public?’
In scenes set to air, Mickey is heard chatting with the singer, 21, who identifies as a lesbian, as he insinuates he will be able to ‘make her straight’
JoJo, who identifies as a lesbian, is left upset by the exchange as she hits back: ‘That’s homophobic, if that was your reasoning’
While Chris Hughes comforts JoJo, Mickey says: ‘I need a fag’ before gesturing to JoJo and adding: ‘I’m not talking to you’
Mickey the replies: ‘Yeah I think so. If I was saying it in a nasty kind of way or if I truly meant it.’
Big Brother continues: ‘Mickey, Big Brother thinks your language was offensive and unacceptable.’
‘Alright. I can understand that,’ Mickey agrees before Big Brother issues the star with a formal warning and explains: ‘Further language or behaviour of this nature could lead to you being removed from the Big Brother house. Mickey, do you understand?’
Mickey then adds, ‘Yes I do. It’s some serious stuff.’
Prompted by Big Brother he finally says sorry as he confesses: ‘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.’
MailOnline has contacted ITV representatives for comment.
After Tuesday’s episode, viewers are now warming to the star for his unintentionally comedic behaviour – such as appearing baffled by the premise of the series and falling asleep on the couch.
The actor has now landed in the middle of the pack in the betting and currently has odds of 12-1 to win, behind favourites Chris Hughes at 11-4 and Danny Beard at 3-1.
Mickey volunteered to go to the task room where he got confused by what he had to do, thinking he was gifting someone a scooter.
Vewers are now warming to the star for his unintentionally comedic behaviour – such as appearing confused by the premise of the show and falling asleep on the couch
He previously took steroids for the 2008 film The Wrestler (pictured) but now works out twice a day and sticks to a diet of fish and vegetables
He then chose to give a prize to Love Island star Chris. He couldn’t remember his name so referred to him as ‘the good-looking kid, I think he said he’s from Australia’.
He was later called to the Diary Room by Big Brother and then said: ‘Where’s the dining room?’ as the other housemates had to help him get there.
On spin-off show Late & Live, both the studio guests and the audience appeared to have warmed to Mickey, recognising his comedic potential as a housemate.
Former winner and guest Kate Lawler said: ‘I love that he thought he was giving a scooter to Chris. He reminds me of my nan. As much as I was disappointed in his behaviour last night, he is very entertaining. I do like him as a housemate.’
Fellow guest Eddie said: ‘The moment he picked where he was going to sit, I said, that’s my guy.’ He later described Mickey as having a ‘big heart’.
CELEBRITY BIG BROTHER 2025: MEET THE LINEUP!
MICKEY ROURKE
AGE: 72
FAMOUS FOR: The actor and former pro boxer is one of the show’s biggest ever signings and after public feuds with Robert De Niro, two marriages and a string of high profile relationships, producers will be hoping he brings plenty of drama.
DALEY THOMPSON
AGE: 66
FAMOUS FOR: The double Olympic gold-medallist is considered one of Britain’s greatest athletes, and he would no doubt cause a stir with younger celebrities if he entered the house. He broke the decathlon world record four times.
PATSY PALMER
AGE: 52
FAMOUS FOR: It’s an open secret that Patsy is leaving EastEnders, with the actress enjoying a wild leaving party this month. The Bianca Jackson star posted a snap of her character on Instagram with the caption: ‘Bye bye B, always grateful to see her again.’
DONNA PRESTON
AGE: 38
FAMOUS FOR: While Donna has featured in several TV shows and movies, the comedy star is known for hosting Apocalypse and for the role of a circus Compere in 2018’s Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald. She plays Den in Coronation Street, has featured in Pants On Fire in 2019 and even wrote and co-produced BBC Three’s Comedy Threesomes.
CHESNEY HAWKES
AGE: 53
FAMOUS FOR: The singer topped the charts for five weeks in 1991 with his hit The One And Only, before making a string of acting and TV appearances. His arrival on CBB has been described by a TV source as ‘perfect timing’, as he’s set to release a comeback album in April.
ANGELLICA BELL
AGE: 49
FAMOUS FOR: The TV presenter is said to have landed a staggering five-figure deal to appear on Celebrity Big Brother. Fans will be keen to see if the CBBC legend spills all on her untimely exit from The Martin Lewis Show – which left fans baffled back in 2023. Angellica currently co-presents Hits Radio while Fleur East is on maternity leave.
DANNY BEARD
AGE: 32
FAMOUS FOR: The RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner – whose real name is Daniel Curtis – has signed up as a late entry. Danny previously made headlines after swearing on Big Brother’s Late & Live last March whilst doing an impression of housemate Louis Walsh. The incident saw the guest say the word ‘c***’ before immediately apologising after being informed they weren’t allowed to say that on the show.
CHRIS HUGHES
AGE: 32
FAMOUS FOR: After shooting to fame on Love Island in 2017, Chris went on to become a sports presenter and regularly hosts the horse racing coverage on ITV.
JOJO SIWA
AGE: 21
FAMOUS FOR: The American singer, who shot to stardom on reality show Dance Moms, is expected to draw a big American audience. The hitmaker has made a name for herself in the U.S. pop charts and is known for her outlandish looks and being a vocal member of the LGBTQ+ community.
TRISHA GODDARD
AGE: 67
FAMOUS FOR: The talk show host regularly presented on ITV from 1998 to 2004 and then shifted to Channel 5 from 2004 to 2010. Trisha has been suffering horrible side effects of her chemotherapy – but has bravely battled on.
JACK P. SHEPHERD
AGE: 37
FAMOUS FOR: The actor has played David Platt in Corrie since 2000 and is following in his pal Colson Smith’s footsteps by taking part in the popular reality show. He has won a string of awards for the role including Best Actor at the British Soap Awards.
ELLA RAE WISE
AGE: 24
FAMOUS FOR: Producers have been keen to land the TV personality, who previously dated Pete Wicks and has had an on-off romance with Dan Edgar. Bosses are hoping the TOWIE star might reveal all about some of her other famous exes.
MICHAEL FABRICANT
AGE: 74
FAMOUS FOR: The former Conservative politician is understood to have signed a lucrative six-figure deal to take part after political stars were banned from the broadcaster’s other reality show, I’m A Celeb. He served as MP for Lichfield in Staffordshire from 1992 until his defeat in 2024 as well as vice-chairman of the party under David Cameron. But he is perhaps best known for his blond mop for which he has been widely ridiculed but repeatedly denies is a wig.
