Celebrity Big Brother made a dramatic return to ITV on Monday night (April 8) as viewers were introduced to 13 celebrity housemates for 2025, among them Patsy Palmer, Jojo Siwa, and Jack P Shephard.
But it was events unfolding outside the CBB house that really got tongues wagging during the star-studded launch, particularly with the arrival of the final celebrity contestant, Mickey Rourke.
The scene became tensely awkward as boxer-turned-actor Mickey - whose real name is Philip Andre Rourke Jr - appeared to briefly gyrate against co-presenter AJ Odudu's behind before glancing her up and down in front of the live audience.
AJ maintained her composure with a polite smile and warned the 72-year old with a playful "stop looking at me!". However, Mickey seemingly ignored the hint and instead invited her along as he slowly meandered towards the house, high-fiving fans as he went.
The launch event concluded with Will showing a gesture of support to AJ by holding her hand and throwing an arm around her shoulders, before the pair went on to present the CBB spin-off, Late & Live.
Following the incident, AJ, 37, took to Instagram to post: "And just like that we're off, Celebrity Big Brother 2025, tune in live on ITV." Her followers quickly sided with her, condemning Mickey's behaviour and commending Will for his chivalrous conduct.
One viewer expressed their admiration, writing: "I'm writing this moments after you're encounter with Micky Rourke and woah, that's legendary as f***, you and Will Best handled it poifectly!"
Another slammed: "I can't deal with what Mickey Rourke did to you. It was wildly inappropriate and he should be removed... it was written all over your face how uncomfortable that made you feel. You handled it so well."
Meanwhile, a third person commended Will's actions on X: "Massive kudos to Will Best for jumping straight to AJ's defence there, protecting his female colleague from unwanted lascivious male attention from Mickey Rourke. Nice to see there's still gentlemen out there."
