Hollywood actor Mickey Rourke has exited ITV's Celebrity Big Brother after a series of incidents involving what the network described as "further use of inappropriate language" and "instances of unacceptable behaviour." The departure, which occurred on Saturday, was prompted by Rourke's confrontational language towards fellow housemate Chris Hughes, with sources indicating that his comments were perceived as threatening and aggressive. Fortunately, no physical confrontation transpired between the two.

Rourke, 72, who gained fame as the star of critically acclaimed films such as The Wrestler, had recently received a formal warning from the show's producers. This warning came after he directed a number of offensive remarks at another contestant, JoJo Siwa, a well-known singer and dancer. Siwa, 21, took particular offense to Rourke's comments, which she interpreted as homophobic. He had controversially stated that he planned to "vote the lesbian out real quick," leading to significant backlash from both Siwa and the viewing audience.

Chris Hughes, a 32-year-old Love Island star, had stepped in to comfort Siwa during a recent episode when Rourke's comments came to light. According to an official statement from ITV, Rourke made the decision to leave the Celebrity Big Brother house after a conversation with producers regarding his behavior. The statement read: "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."

Mickey Rourke entered the reality show on Monday, joining a lineup that included Siwa, Hughes, and ten other celebrities from various backgrounds. Their interactions were heavily watched by fans across the globe. A transcript released by ITV before the airing of Wednesday's episode highlighted a particularly uncomfortable exchange between Rourke and Siwa. During their conversation, Rourke inquired if Siwa preferred boys or girls, to which she responded affirmatively for girls, stating, "My partner is non-binary." Rourke then provocatively remarked, "If I stay longer than four days, you won't be gay any more," to which Siwa firmly replied, "I can guarantee I'll still be gay and I'll still be in a very happy relationship."

The situation escalated when Rourke mentioned needing a "fag" while gesturing towards Siwa, which Hughes promptly challenged, asserting that Rourke should not use such language. Rourke attempted to clarify by saying, "I know. I was talking about a cigarette," but the damage had already been done.

This incident highlights the ongoing conversation about acceptable behavior and language in reality television, where contestants often find themselves under intense scrutiny from producers and the viewing public alike. Rourke's comments not only reflect a misunderstanding of the contemporary dialogue surrounding sexuality and identity but also underline the responsibility that participants hold in fostering an inclusive and respectful environment within such high-profile shows.