Mickey Rourke faces viewer backlash following ‘inapt’ CBB entrance

Mickey Rourke facing Celebrity Big Brother axe after social media backlash?

Celebrity Big Brother housemate Mickey Rourke is already facing the boot just 24 hours into his stint on the programme, with sentiment tracking and betting markets both painting a bleak picture for the actor.

Data from Card Player, using Brandwatch social listening, shows the Sin City star received a flood of negative reaction following his awkward entrance and exchange with presenter AJ Odudu. Rourke’s mentions on X were 31% negative, compared to just 11% positive, leaving him with a net sentiment score of -20% – the worst of any housemate by a clear margin.

Card Player have subsequently priced Rourke at 6/4 to be removed from the house by ITV or Big Brother before the public get the chance to vote – a move that would mirror controversial early exits in previous series.

Michael Fabricant also unconvincing in early stages of CBB

Also struggling in the popularity stakes was Michael Fabricant, who finished just ahead of Rourke with a net sentiment score of -19%.

Meanwhile, actress and comedian Donna Preston appears to have won over the public early on, recording the highest sentiment score on launch night with a net +15%. Angellica Bell (+8%) and Corrie actor Jack P. Shepherd (+7%) also made strong first impressions, while Danny Beard (-5%) and Ella Rae Wise (-7%) had more mixed responses.

Spokesperson for Card Player, Liam Solomon:

“Mickey Rourke’s explosive start has certainly grabbed headlines, but not in the way he might’ve hoped. The numbers show just how unpopular he’s been with UK audiences – scoring well below every other housemate in terms of social sentiment since the programme started, including fellow controversy magnets like JoJo Siwa and Michael Fabricant.

 “With odds of 6/4 to be removed by ITV, it’s now a waiting game to see whether producers intervene or if Rourke can turn public opinion around.”

Celebrity Big Brother 2025: Social Sentiment Rankings

Based on Brandwatch data monitoring posts on X (formerly Twitter) from launch night

• Donna Preston – 29% positive / 14% negative → +15% net sentiment
• Angellica Bell – 17% positive / 9% negative → +8%
• Jack P. Shepherd – 15% positive / 8% negative → +7%
• Chesney Hawkes – 16% positive / 13% negative → +3%
• Trisha Goddard – 21% positive / 19% negative → +2%
• Daley Thompson – 15% positive / 15% negative → 0%
• Chris Hughes – 13% positive / 14% negative → -1%
• Patsy Palmer – 12% positive / 15% negative → -3%
• Danny Beard – 25% positive / 30% negative → -5%
• Ella Rae Wise – 6% positive / 13% negative → -7%
• JoJo Siwa – 11% positive / 26% negative → -15%
• Michael Fabricant – 3% positive / 22% negative → -19%
• Mickey Rourke – 11% positive / 31% negative → -20%

Angellica Bell emerges as an early fan favourite

Celebrity Big Brother continues tonight at 9 pm on ITV1, STV, STV Player and ITVX