Actor Mickey Rourke has revealed that he decided to live alone and “isolate” himself a number of years ago. He has shared that now living in the Big Brother house with other celebrities is “not easy” for him as a result of that lifestyle.
Mickey, 72, was announced as a housemate on Celebrity Big Brother during the live launch last night. He’s joined on the ITV show by the likes of presenter Angellica Bell, singer Chesney Hawkes, Coronation Street cast member Jack P. Shepherd and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard.
Tonight’s episode will see the housemates getting to know each other as they explore the Big Brother house. One conversation is set to show Mickey giving an insight into his life outside the show to TV presenter Trisha Goddard, 67.
Trisha asks: “Have you ever done anything like this before?” Mickey responds by telling the former talk show host that he hasn’t, before his fellow housemate questions further about his involvement. She asks him: “What made you do it?”
Mickey explains: “I thought let me just try something new.” He then adds: “I decided to isolate and live alone and not have any relationships about six years ago. So, a lot of good stuff is coming to me from just being alone.”
Responding to him, Trisha says: “You’ve had to kind of sit with yourself.” Suggesting that living with twelve people will be a challenge, Mickey – who’s starred in films like the Wrestler (2008) – tells her: “This is not easy here for me.”
Trisha teases that she feels the same, saying: “Me neither.” She goes on to disclose to Mickey that she has cancer. Trisha says: “I’m living with stage four cancer. I had it in 2008, it came back two years ago.” She adds: “It was breast cancer and it metastasized but so far so good. I’ve got a really good team in Connecticut that look after me.”
Mickey tells her: “I’ve got your name and I’ll keep you in my prayers.” He also asks: “How often do you have treatment?” Trisha responds: “Every three weeks.” Asked if she has someone that looks after her, she says: “My husband. I’ve got a really good guy.” Mickey replies: “Oh good. That’s nice.”
Having launched his acting career more than four decades ago, Mickey has starred in numerous films like 9½ Weeks (1986) and Sin City (2005). Although the actor – who has also enjoyed a career as a boxer – has shared that he decided to “isolate” himself six years ago, he has continued to work. His latest credits includes Jade (2024) and he is also said to be involved with several films that are yet to be released.
Earlier this week, Mickey was the last celebrity to enter the Big Brother house in the UK during the launch episode. Mickey – who interacted with fans and complimented host AJ Odudu, 37, in the moments beforehand – didn’t appear to be in a rush to enter the house after being introduced though.
Mickey – whose behaviour towards AJ has attracted criticism and was discussed on companion show Late & Live – appeared to tease that he wanted to stay on stage with AJ rather than join the other housemates. It came after AJ told him at one point whilst stood outside the house: “Stop looking at me. It’s time for you to get inside the house.”
Celebrity Big Brother continues tonight from 9pm on ITV, ITVX, STV and STV Player. It will be followed by companion show Late & Live on ITV2 and ITVX from 10pm.
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