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CELEBRITY Big Brother bosses were warned Mickey Rourke 'was a liability' before signing him for the show, The Sun can exclusively reveal.

The US actor, who is being paid six figures to appear on CBB, had numerous failed attempts to land similar gigs on UK shows going back 10 years.

Mickey Rourke in a grey hoodie sitting in a brightly colored chair.
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Celebrity Big Brother bosses would have been 'warned' about Mickey RourkeCredit: Eroteme
Mickey Rourke in a grey hoodie and sunglasses.
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The Hollywood actor 'tried for 10 years' to get on a UK show - but failedCredit: Eroteme

Insiders have described 72-year-old Mickey as "a loose cannon with no filter" and said CBB bosses would have been warned this when signing him.

A source tells us: “Loads of people in the TV industry had meetings with Mickey going back as far as ten years ago, but each time it was decided he was too much of a liability to have on UK reality shows.

"He’s had zoom meetings and in person meetings in LA, but every time it didn’t work out as he’s such a loose cannon with no filter.

"He was way too risky for a lot of people to take a chance on.

READ MORE ON MICKEY ROURKE

"It was common knowledge in the industry and people would have warned ITV - nobody is surprised how he’s acting in the CBB house.”

Mickey, who found fame in a string of 80s movies including Year Of The Dragon and 9 1/2 Weeks, has already received a formal warning from Big Brother.

He was warned by show bosses for making a 'homophobic slur' towards 21-year-old housemate JoJo Siwa in Wednesday's show.

US singer JoJo, who is gay, was left in floods of tears after he told her he would 'change' her sexuality within a few days.

He also said he was "going to vote the lesbian out real quick".

Watch shock moment Mickey Rourke 'weight shames' Donna Preston just hours after formal warning over homophobic slur

Mickey was told: "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?"

Mickey said he understood and apologised to JoJo.

Her partner Kath, who identifies as non-binary, has branded Mickey a "disgusting and dangerous pig".

Later in the same episode, Mickey horrified viewers and housemates further for 'weight-shaming' housemate Donna Preston as she relaxed with an LED mask in the bedroom.

When Mickey asked her if she was seeing any results, Donna told him she had only been using the mask - which helps with skin complaints - for a few months.

"You'd probably be better off running round the block for ten minutes," Mickey responded.

Celebrity Big Brother 2025 line-up

Celebrity Big Brother is back for a brand new series, with a whole host of stars set to live it up in the famous compound.

Here's the FULL line-up of star housemates:

Trisha Goddard - Talk show host

Mickey Rourke - Hollywood actor

Donna Preston - comedian and TV star

JoJo Siwa - influencer and singer

Chris Hughes - Love Island hunk 

Jack P. Shepherd -  Coronation Street star 

Patsy Palmer - EastEnders legend

Daley Thompson - Olympic athlete

Chesney Hawkes - 90s singer

Ella Rae Wise - Towie star

Michael Fabricant - former Tory politician 

Angellica Bell - former CBBC presenter

Danny Beard - Drag queen and Britain's Got Talent

"I've got to try something, " Donna added. "I'm getting a little turkey neck."

Mickey then responded: "It comes with the territory."

Confused, Donna asked: "What, life?"

"Yeah," Mikey replied, adding: "It's like they say, you are what you eat."

Mickey has also been reprimanded for tampering with the cameras and removing his mic.

Read More on The Sun

On the launch night, viewers called for Mickey to be axed after he grabbed host AJ Odudu and 'stared' at her during the live show.

Tonight, he will be seen clashing with Big Brother over the rules surrounding nominations.

JoJo Siwa upset and being comforted.
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Mickey has been given a formal warning for using a 'homophobic slur' against JoJo SiwaCredit: Eroteme
Screenshot of Celebrity Big Brother, showing AJ Odudu, Mickey Rourke, and Will Best.
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He was slammed by CBB viewers for grabbing host AJ Odudu at the launchCredit: Eroteme
Woman wearing a light therapy mask.
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Mickey 'weight shamed' Donna Preston while she was using an LED maskCredit: Eroteme
Mickey Rourke on a reality TV show.
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He told her to 'go running' and that 'you are what you eat'Credit: Eroteme
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