Rourke leaves Big Brother after 'unacceptable behaviour'

Hollywood actor Mickey Rourke has left Celebrity Big Brother after "further use of inappropriate language" and "instances of unacceptable behaviour", ITV has said.

On Saturday, Rourke, 72, used behaviour and language considered to be threatening and aggressive towards fellow housemate Chris Hughes, the BBC understands.

No physical altercation took place between the pair.

Just days ago, the Bafta-winning star of The Wrestler received a formal warning from Big Brother for "unacceptable language and behaviour" directed at another housemate, JoJo Siwa.

Siwa accused Rourke of being "homophobic" for saying he was "going to vote the lesbian out real quick" and making other comments about her sexuality.

Love Island star Hughes, 32, had comforted Siwa, 21, in Wednesday's episode after Rourke's comments.

A spokesperson for the ITV show said: "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."

The Oscar-nominated star entered the ITV reality show on Monday alongside TV and social media personality Siwa, Hughes and 10 other celebrities.

According to a transcript released by ITV ahead of Wednesday evening's episode, Rourke first asked Siwa if she liked boys or girls. She replied: "Girls. My partner is non-binary."

He then told her: "If I stay longer than four days, you won't be gay any more."

She responded: "I can guarantee I'll still be gay and I'll still be in a very happy relationship."

He then made the comment about voting her out, and apparently referred to an earlier conversation about the smoking area when he said: "I need a fag," before gesturing to Siwa and adding: "I'm not talking to you."

After being told he couldn't say that by Hughes, Rourke claimed: "I know. I was talking about a cigarette."

Rourke was called into the diary room, where Big Brother told him his "language was offensive and unacceptable" and gave him the formal warning.

He responded: "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."

After going back into the main house, Hughes told him Siwa "was very upset earlier", and she informed Rourke it was "not an acceptable word".

He told her: "I want to apologise. I've got a habit of having a short fuse. And I don't mean nothing by it. I do mean it [sorry]. If I didn't, I wouldn't say it to you."

Siwa replied: "I appreciate your apology."