Big Brother issues warning to Mickey over offensive comments

Tensions flare in the Celebrity Big Brother house tonight after Mickey was formally warned by Big Brother for using offensive language and making inappropriate remarks toward fellow housemate JoJo.

The incident began when Mickey casually asked JoJo, “Where’s the smoke room? Where’s the cigarette room?” before swiftly shifting the conversation to personal matters, asking, “Do you like girls or boys?”

JoJo replied, “Me? Girls. My partner is non-binary.”

Mickey then made a controversial comment, saying, “If I stay longer than four days, you won’t be gay anymore.”

JoJo responded calmly but firmly: “I can guarantee I’ll still be gay and I’ll still be in a very happy relationship.”

The situation escalated further in the garden when Mickey, speaking to housemate Chris, asked about the eviction process and joked, “I’m going to vote the lesbian out real quick.”

JoJo, who overheard the remark, confronted him. “That’s homophobic, if that was your reasoning,” they said.

Chris supported JoJo, telling Mickey, “You can’t do that.”

Mickey then said, “I need a fag,” before gesturing toward JoJo and adding, “I’m not talking to you.” Chris stepped in again, warning Mickey: “You can’t say that.”

Mickey claimed he was referring to a cigarette, but JoJo was left visibly upset by the exchange and was consoled by Chris.

Shortly afterward, Mickey was called to the Diary Room, where Big Brother addressed the issue head-on.

“Mickey, before you entered the Big Brother house the rules regarding unacceptable language and behaviour were explained to you,” Big Brother said, before reading back the full exchange. “Do you understand how this language could be offensive to your housemates or the viewing public?”

Mickey acknowledged the situation, saying, “Yeah, I think so. If I was saying it in a nasty kind of way or if I truly meant it.”

Big Brother responded, “Mickey, Big Brother thinks your language was offensive and unacceptable.” Mickey was given a formal warning, with Big Brother adding that further incidents could result in removal from the house.

Following the warning, Mickey returned to the house and attempted to make amends.

“Boy, did I get chewed out,” he said.

Trisha responded, “I guess it’s not what you say. It’s how it lands.”

Chris chimed in to support JoJo: “I understand you might have thought it would be uninsulting, but it’s the way it’s perceived by other people. JoJo was very upset earlier, bless her.”

Turning to JoJo, Mickey said, “You were? Sorry. Are we ok?”

JoJo replied, “As a future, using the word f** is not an acceptable word.”

The rest of the housemates joined the conversation to help Mickey understand why his words were harmful. Danny added, “I disagree with how it panned out from how you handled it, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to dig my feet in and ostracise you. I’d love you to see it from another point of view and be part of the group.”

Later, Mickey privately apologised again to JoJo. “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.”

JoJo responded, “I appreciate your apology.”

The conversation shifted to more constructive ground later in the evening, with Mickey asking questions about drag culture. JoJo explained, “Anything is ok to say in context and intention — that’s what matters. And if you say something wrong but you didn’t know and you’re open to hearing — all good.”

CELEBRITY BIG BROTHER CONTINUES TONIGHT AT 9PM ON ITV1, ITVX, STV AND STV PLAYER