‘A STUNNING COMEBACK’: From the Risk of Eviction, Jack P Shepherd of Coronation Street climbs to Victory in Celebrity Big Brother 2025. What ‘Turning Point’ made him the CHAMPION?
Drag star Danny Beard, who finished as the runner-up on Celebrity Big Brother on Friday night, opened up about the unsettling dynamics inside the house – particularly involving disgraced actor Mickey Rourke.
While Coronation Street veteran Jack P. Shepherd took home the crown, Danny made a huge impression on viewers thanks to his open and honest conversations about gender identity and s3xuality.
Sitting down for a candid post-finale chat with AJ Odudu and Will Best, Danny didn’t hold back when asked about cohabiting with controversial housemates like ex-Tory MP Michael Fabricant and Hollywood legend-turned-liability Mickey Rourke.
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Rourke, 72, was eventually shown the door after a string of on-air infractions, including h0m0ph0bic slurs directed at JoJo Siwa, lewd remarks made to Ella Rae Wise, and a volatile clash with Chris Hughes. The producers reportedly issued several warnings before cutting him loose.
Danny finished in second place (Image: Vianney Le Caer/REX/Shutterstock for Big Brother)
When questioned about his “unlikely bonds” with both Mickey and Michael, Danny began with a quip: “Still not over the wig situation – honestly, is it real? We may never know.”
He continued, reflecting on the walls he’d expected to have up: “I went in thinking I was this totally open queer person… and then I find myself next to a Tory and I’m like, ‘Brilliant.’”
But the experience shifted something in him. “I’ve realised, if you give people half a chance – and just breathe – you find out we’ve all got more in common than we think,” he said, as the audience broke into applause.
Danny also used the moment to speak from the heart about the trans community, making it clear where his loyalties lie.
“I’m not trying to go all political,” he began. “But I’ve got a lot of trans mates, and the stuff they get judged for? Most of the people judging them haven’t even met a trans person. It’s opened my eyes too, honestly.”
Hollywood actor Mickey Rourke was removed from the Celebrity Big Brother house(Image: REX/Shutterstock for Big Brother)
The conversation then turned to Mickey Rourke’s offensive behaviour toward JoJo Siwa, including his disturbing claim that he could “turn her straight.”
Danny admitted to feeling conflicted. “Look, Mickey said some truly vile things,” he acknowledged. “But I couldn’t help seeing someone really broken underneath it all. Like a kid who never got the care he needed. And that maternal instinct kicked in.”
Rourke said he tried his “hardest” to leave Celebrity Big Brother shortly after his exit from the ITV series. The Bafta-winning star of The Wrestler, 72, left the ITV1 show on April 12 after “further use of inappropriate language” and “instances of unacceptable behaviour”.
The Oscar-nominated actor caused upset in the house from the start and made former Dance Moms star JoJo Siwa cry after making comments about her s3xuality.
During an episode shortly before his removal, he told Big Brother in the diary room that his housemates “seemed happy” that he had not left during Friday’s eviction episode.
Mickey was sent packing from the house (Image: REX/Shutterstock for Big Brother)
“They seemed happy, for some reason. I did my hardest to get out of here. You know, I always went against the machine, and I don’t want to go through life, like, with a clenched fist any more,” he said. “I spent my whole life like this, and it gets hard. It wears you out.”
The episode also showed the events that led to his departure, including him using “s3xual language” that made The Only Way Is Ess3x star Ella Rae Wise feel uncomfortable. Rourke had made a s3xual innuendo after Ella told Rourke “you gotta come with me, mate”.
Later in the diary room she told Big Brother: “(It) just makes me feel on edge. I don’t like the jokes, like the s3xual jokes being made towards me. I’m a young girl and I’m not a piece of meat.”
Things also became heated between Rourke and Love Island star Chris Hughes during a pirate-themed shopping task in which US singer JoJo had been given the role of captain.
Rourke told Chris, “Don’t f****** eyeball me, you c***”, during the task, and drag queen Danny Beard and JoJo both tried to defuse the situation.
In the diary room Big Brother told Rourke: “Earlier today in a disagreement with Chris, your language and behaviour was threatening and aggressive. Big Brother does not tolerate threatening language or behaviour. In addition, you have used inappropriate s3xual language to Ella.”
Jack won the 2025 series of Celebrity Big Brother(Image: ITV)
Rourke said: “Oh, I’m not aware of that but OK.” Big Brother added: “This language has caused offence to your fellow housemates and could cause offence to the viewing public. This is not the first time Big Brother has had to speak to you about your offensive and inappropriate language.”
Rourke apologised and said: “I stepped over the line. And I take responsibility for doing the wrong thing. Because I lost my temper, and I’ve been trying to work on it my whole life and I wish I would have had better self-control and I’m very sorry.
“I’m ashamed of myself for losing it for a few seconds there. Nobody got touched or hurt. Maybe some feelings got hurt or maybe others have feelings about others getting upset but, you know, I’m sorry about that.”
Big Brother then said Rourke would be leaving the house and the actor said he blamed himself. “I wanted to leave yesterday actually but I wasn’t chosen,” he added.
