Mickey Rourke has been issued a warning on Celebrity Big Brother after making homophobic comments towards a fellow housemate.

The 72-year-old actor, who is known for his roles in films such as The Wrestler, Sin City, Rumble Fish and Iron Man 2, is one of 13 contestants involved with the 2025 series of the ITV reality show.

He has already been criticised on the show after he pulled presenter AJ Odudu close to him after giving her a twirl and then appeared to ogle her in the opening episode.

Odudu was praised for maintaining professionalism in the moment, The Independent reports.

Now Rourke has been issued a warning in the third episode of the series after making homophobic comments towards housemate JoJo Siwa.

Mickey Rourke issued warning by Big Brother

In several comments released by ITV ahead of the third episode's airing, Rourke engages in conversation with Siwa, who is a singer, actress and media personality.

He starts off by asking where the smoke room is before changing the subject to whether Siwa likes girls or boys.

Siwa replies: “Me? Girls. My partner is non-binary.”

Rourke then says to Siwa: “If I stay longer than four days, you won’t be gay anymore.”

Siwa responds: “I can guarantee I’ll still be gay and I’ll still be in a very happy relationship.”

Later in the garden, Rourke asks Chris Hughes if everyone has to vote one another out of the house and says, “I’m going to vote the lesbian out real quick.”

Siwa overhears this and responds: “That’s homophobic, if that was your reasoning," with Chris agreeing.

Rourke then comments: “I need a f**.” And then gestures to JoJo and says, “I’m not talking to you.”

After getting backlash from Hughes, Rourke says he meant a cigarette, but the exchange upsets Siwa, who is comforted by Hughes.

Mickey Rourke apologises for comments made to JoJo Siwa

Shortly after the exchange in the garden, Big Brother calls Rourke to the Diary Room. 

Big Brother says: “Mickey before you entered the Big Brother house the rules regarding unacceptable language and behaviour were explained to you.”

After the entire exchange is read back to Rourke, Big Brother then says: “Mickey, do you understand how this language could be offensive to your Housemates or the viewing public?”

Rourke replies: “Yeah, I think so. If I was saying it in a nasty kind of way or if I truly meant it.”

After he accepted his language could come across as offensive, Big Brother issued him an official warning.

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Big Brother says: “As a result, Big Brother is giving you a formal warning. Further language or behaviour of this nature could lead to you being removed from the Big Brother house. Mickey, do you understand?”

After asking if there was anything he wanted to add, Rourke says: “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.” 

Rourke goes to Siwa later in the episode and apologises in person for what he said.

Celebrity Big Brother continues at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.