As Celebrity Big Brother continues on ITV, a top PR management expert said that bosses should have removed Mickey Rourke from the house earlier due to homophobic comments
A PR expert says Mickey Rourke should’ve been kicked out of Celebrity Big Brother sooner.
Hollywood legend Mickey, 72, has been considering taking legal action against ITV after he was given the boot from the show for using language that – at times – was not even suitable to be broadcast. Following this, several other clips have resurfaced on the movie star stopping the use of homophobic language with Alan Carr.
However, as the fallout of Mickey’s ejection from the house continues, one public relations expert says The Wrestler star should have been removed from the show a lot earlier. Giving his take on the star’s ejection from the house, Edward Coram James from the Go Up agency in London and LA said that bosses should have acted sooner.
“It’s simple: Homophobia doesn’t belong in reality TV,” he explained. “When someone crosses a line that big, you have an obligation as a broadcaster to set a standard and protect your cast, platform, and values.
“ITV knew this was a live environment,” he continued. “The moment Mickey used that slur, they should have immediately taken action and removed him from the house, not merely given a warning.
The comments refer to the first major incident where Mickey broke fundamental Big Brother rules whilst talking to JoJo Siwa. In the chat, Mickey makes a remark saying he would turn JoJo – someone who identifies as pansexual – straight if he “tied her up”.
Viewers watching the show were livid and sent many complaints to Ofcom, the broadcasting watchdog. Mickey was promptly reprimanded for his comments and given a formal warning by producers, but Edward believes this was not enough.
“The ‘tie you up’ line alone should’ve been an instant red flag,” Edward insisted, “it had violent implications. Even if he thought it was a joke, it wasn’t funny; it was inappropriate and threatening.
“Combine that with queerphobic overtones, and you’ve got a toxic, volatile atmosphere. Letting it escalate into a confrontation with Chris Hughes is not just irresponsible; it actively puts everyone at risk — staff, cast, and a whole generation of young LGBTQ+ fans.”
Edward also added that with Celebrity Big Brother hoping to attract a younger audience to ITV, younger viewers could watch these scenes and assume it is okay to speak to people in such a manner. He went on to say that producers will need to be careful when selecting housemates and how they will be perceived.
“A thoughtful review of their casting process is essential, along with meaningful improvements to better protect both the cast and the audience,” the PR expert added. “Most importantly, we need to see a shift in how minorities, particularly LGBTQ+ individuals, are safeguarded in these spaces.
“Shows like this have a significant impact, and allowing harmful behaviour to continue can lead to serious consequences, especially for marginalised communities. It’s time for a thorough review, real enhancements to their casting methods, and a heartfelt apology to JoJo, all of which are well overdue.”
Celebrity Big Brother airs every Sunday to Friday at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
