BOLD MOVE
CBB’s Mickey Rourke reveals the REAL reason he signed up for show – and it’s NOT his giant £500k fee
He's come under fire for being too handsy with host AJ Odudu
MICKEY Rourke revealed the real reason he signed up to Celebrity Big Brother last night - and it isn't his £500k pay cheque.
The Oscar-nominated acting legend, 72, is this year's most famous housemate and his arrival took many by surprise.
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After his chaotic arrival, Mickey sat down with Trisha Goddard in the kitchen and she asked: "What made you do it?"
The American actor candidly replied: "It was a choice between this and a really s****y independent movie.
"And I've done too many s****y independent movies, let me just try something new."
Mickey achieved a late career high when he was Oscar-nominated for his role as Randy 'The Ram' in The Wrestler, a gritty drama about an ageing pro desperately clinging to his career despite serious health issues.
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It won him a Bafta in 2009, and was a springboard to landing the lucrative villain role of Whiplash in Iron Man 2, alongside Robert Downey Jr.
Since then, he's starred in numerous direct-to-DVD offerings and independent films, though some of these have included other big names like Darryl Hannah, Michael Madsen and Jeffrey Dean Morgan.
Not long after the admission, Mickey found himself snoozing on the sofa underneath a blanket.
Around midnight, 72-year-old Mickey was featured in the live stream, snoozing as his co-stars got to know each other.
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Athletics legend Daley Thompson, who is six years younger than Mickey, looked bright-eyed as he chatted away to Angellica Bell close by.
Prior to entering the house, there were genuine fears Mickey could get himself cancelled during his time in the house.
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A source said: “Mickey is a real character and has a very unique way of going about things. He is outspoken and isn’t afraid to say what’s on his mind. He’s proud of his body and loves walking around naked.”
“Some pals worry he will go on CBB and cancel himself and damage his acting career, while others feel it may be the making of him.
“He is one of a kind and will provide some iconic TV moments, that’s for sure.”
And those concerns seemed justified mere seconds after Mickey stepped out his car and met hosts AJ Odudu and Will Best.
Ofcom complaints have already been made after AJ asked Mickey to "stop looking at me" as he shamelessly flirted on the live stage.
In the spin-off programme, Big Brother: Late & Live, guest Alan Carr joked the Nine and 1/2 Weeks star's "tongue was hanging out" before he entered the compound.
Viewers angrily took to X, with one posting: "@Ofcom you need to investigate This kind of behaviour from any celebrity."
They added: "Get Michael Rourke removed from the CBB House for inappropriately touchy behaviour towards AJ Odudu."
Another posted: "Oh god! I have a horrible feeling #MickeyRourke is going to be one of three types of housemate. The weird one, the creepy one, or the nutty one. Probably all of the above!"
One then said: "Okay Mickey was very creepy with AJ."
Another demanded: "Get Mickey out."
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While a third commented: "Mickey's getting kicked out."
If he does end up getting the boot, it's unlikely Mickey will mind given he says he has "no interest" in winning the show.
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Mickey Rourke's Career Timeline
1970s: Early career
Mickey Rourke began his acting journey in 1971 after studying at the prestigious Actors Studio in New York, under the tutelage of Lee Strasberg. He appeared in minor roles in television shows and films to gain experience.
1978: Made his film debut with a small role in the Steven Spielberg-directed comedy-drama 1941.
1980s: Breakthrough and stardom
1981: Achieved recognition with his role as the arsonist Teddy Lewis in Body Heat, a neo-noir thriller starring William Hurt and Kathleen Turner.
1982: Delivered a critically acclaimed performance in Barry Levinson's Diner, showcasing his talent and earning attention as a rising star.
1983: Played a memorable role in Rumble Fish, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, alongside Matt Dillon, Diane Lane, and Dennis Hopper.
1986: Starred in 9½ Weeks, a provocative romantic drama opposite Kim Basinger. The film became a cult classic, cementing his status as a Hollywood leading man.
1987: Gave a standout performance in Angel Heart, a psychological thriller directed by Alan Parker, co-starring Robert De Niro and Lisa Bonet.
1990s: Career decline and transition to boxing
1991: Mickey shifted focus from acting to professional boxing, citing dissatisfaction with Hollywood and the roles he was being offered.
He competed in several matches and sustained injuries during his career in the ring leading which led to an addiction to plastic surgery.
Throughout the 1990s, Rourke's film appearances were sporadic and mostly in lesser-known or poorly received productions.
2000s: Career comeback
2000: Returned to the screen in supporting roles, including in The Pledge, directed by Sean Penn, and Get Carter alongside Sylvester Stallone.
2005: Achieved a major career revival with his performance as Marv in Sin City, a visually striking neo-noir film directed by Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller.
2008: Delivered an award-winning performance in The Wrestler, directed by Darren Aronofsky. Rourke played Randy "The Ram" Robinson, a washed-up professional wrestler seeking redemption. The role earned him a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
2010s: Continued success
2010: Portrayed the villain Ivan Vanko/Whiplash in Iron Man 2, starring alongside Robert Downey Jr.
2011: Appeared in Immortals, a fantasy-action film directed by Tarsem Singh.
Throughout the decade, Rourke continued acting in smaller films and projects, maintaining a presence in Hollywood while occasionally taking on eccentric or offbeat roles.
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