Celebrity Big Brother contestant Chris Hughes has been praised by ITV fans after he confronted Mickey Rourke over his comments towards JoJo Siwa, branding them unacceptable.
During last night’s episode, Rourke asked Siwa if she liked girls or boys, to which the former Dance Moms star replied: “Me? Girls. My partner is non-binary."
Rourke went on to joke: "If I stay longer than four days, you won't be gay anymore," to which Siwa firmly responded: "I can guarantee I'll still be gay, and I'll still be in a very happy relationship."
As the contestants were seated outside, Rourke told Hughes and Ella-Rae Wise that he was going to “vote the lesbian out real quick."
Overhearing the comment, Siwa confronted him and quipped: “That's homophobic if that was your reasoning."
The situation escalated when Rourke asked where he could smoke, saying he "needed a f*g" before gesturing to Siwa and adding, "I'm not talking to you."
Chris was the only one to console JoJo after she was upset
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Hughes immediately defended Siwa, telling Rourke that he couldn't make such comments before moving over to the popstar to console her after realising how affected she was by the comments.
Siwa thanked Hughes for "having her back", while the Love Island star insisted he was simply calling out unacceptable behaviour.
Viewers praised Hughes’ response, with one saying on X: "Chris Hughes is such a sweetheart. You just know his heart is pure."
Another added: "Lovely to see Chris is still the same genuine softie since Love Island."
Mickey Rourke made comments towards JoJo's sexuality and relationship with Kath Ebbs
“The fact that Chris immediately stood up for JoJo and went to comfort her once Mickey had left the situation just shows how soft this man is,” someone else praised.
A fourth noted: “Chris Hughes being the one person to comfort JoJo was not on my bingo card for this series, but I absolutely LOVE their relationship! He should be so proud of himself.” (sic)
Shortly after the remarks, Rourke was called to the Diary Room by Big Brother and given a formal warning about his language and behaviour.
When asked if he had anything to say, the actor replied: "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."
Despite the show only being on for three days, Rourke has continued to cause a stir, even before he entered the house.
Mickey later apologised to JoJo for the comments which were made
ITV
When speaking to hosts AJ Oduduand Will Best during his introduction, Rourke slammed himself into the back of Odudu before looking her up and down in a sexual manner.
Since entering the house, Rourke has been scolded by Big Brother for tampering with cameras in the bathroom.
He was also reprimanded for not wearing his microphone, violating the show's rules that housemates agree to before entering.
Viewers were also left disgusted by his odd kitchen habit of brushing his teeth in the communal sink rather than the bathroom.
