Celebrity Big Brother 2025 has kicked off with a bang, welcoming 12 celebrities into the famous house. This year’s dazzling line-up includes Chris Hughes, Ella Rae Wise, JoJo Siwa, Chesney Hawkes, and Danny Beard.

Joining them is Hollywood’s very own Mickey Rourke, who has already made waves in the Celebrity Big Brother abode, even earning himself an official warning from Big Brother.

Mickey, 72, is known for acting in films such as Year of the Dragon, Angel Heart, Johnny Handsome, The Pope of Greenwich Village, and Barfly. He boxed from 1964 until 1994, briefly returning to the sport in 2014.

Fans might be surprised to learn that Mickey is not his actual name or anything close to it. Mickey was christened Philip Andre Rourke Jr., named after his father, Philip Andre Rourke.

According to MailOnline, his father gave him the nickname Mickey as a tribute to legendary baseball player Mickey Mantle.

The topic of his real identity sparked a conversation within the Celebrity Big Brother house, culminating in Chesney Hawkes querying: “I guess you must have Irish roots, with a name like Rourke. Is that your actual name, by the way?”

Mickey responded: “No, my real name is Philip Andre.” Yet when prodded about how he came by his famed alias, the enigmatic boxer merely quipped: “That’s a long story.”

During Wednesday’s (9 April) episode of CBB, Mickey received a stern reprimand from Big Brother. Show executives summoned him to the Diary Room following his homophobic taunts directed at 21-year-old contestant JoJo Siwa, reports OK!

Mickey questioned JoJo during one particular conversation, asking, “Where’s the smoke room? Where’s the cigarette room?” and then going on to probe further, “Do you like girls or boys?”

To this, JoJo responded: “Me? Girls. My partner is non-binary.” Mickey then provocatively told JoJo: “If I stay longer than four days, you won’t be gay anymore.”

JoJo retorted forcefully: “I can guarantee I’ll still be gay, and I’ll still be in a very happy relationship.”

Subsequently, while in the garden chatting with Chris Hughes about voting each other out, Mickey disclosed his intent: “I’m going to vote the lesbian out real quick.” JoJo, overhearing this, pointed out: “That’s homophobic if that was your reasoning.”

Later, speaking with Big Brother, Mickey insisted he had no “dishonourable intentions” and claimed he was merely “talking smack” before issuing an apology.

Celebrity Big Brother airs at 9pm on ITV1