TV star DEFENDS CBB’s Mickey Rourke as ‘harmless flirt’ as resurfaced video sees him tell her to ‘squeeze’ her cleavage
LIZZIE Cundy has defended “harmless flirt” Mickey Rourke as a resurfaced video shows him making eyebrow-raising comments about her cleavage on TV.
Hollywood actor Mickey, 72, left viewers stunned during his Celebrity Big Brother debut earlier this week, with many branding his behaviour towards AJ Odudu, 37, “creepy”.
His conduct sparked a wave of Ofcom complaints.
Now, a 2010 clip from OK! TV – exclusively obtained by The Sun – shows Mickey making a series of audacious remarks while being interviewed by Lizzie, now 56, EastEnders star Lucy Benjamin, 54, and hotelier Cheryl Howard.
In the footage, Lizzie says to Mickey: “I’ve got to ask you, Mickey, in your acting career, I need to know, is it true about the casting couch? And have you ever had that?”
Mickey replies with: “Can you stand up for a second? Let us take a look at you.
“Just squeeze those things together once. Look at that,” he adds as the camera pans in on her chest.
Mickey remarks: “Look at those pecs,” as Lucy jokes: “I’m pumping them up behind her,” and Lizzie joins in with: “Buy one, get one free!”
Mickey suggests: “Yeah, you three could have a show of your own.”
Lizzie then tries to steer the conversation back, asking again: “Do you ever find that in the acting world, the casting couch?”
Mickey answers: “No, I’ve never been a part of it, really. No, I mean, it does exist, you know. I know it exists, but it’s…
“The thing is, it’s like anything. If you work really hard and you do it the right way and you do the hard work, then you’re gonna have longevity.
“If you’re b**wing some producer for two lines in a movie, then your career’s gonna end rather quickly. You know, unless you b**w every producer in town.”
Despite the suggestive nature of his comments, Lizzie insists she wasn’t offended – and says critics are making a fuss over nothing.
She told The Sun: “Mickey’s a good friend and he’s the biggest flirt of all.”
The socialite, who was formerly married to Chelsea player Jason Cundy, remembered: “He told me that all footballers were pussycats because he’s had more girls in one night than any of them have had.
“He loves women, he loves sex, he’s all about flirting, but it’s all in good fun and I hope that the woke brigade and people in the house don’t take it the wrong way.
“We even saw that at the beginning when he entered in, flirting with AJ saying, ‘I’d rather stay with you.’
“But that’s Mickey, he’s old school Hollywood, he’s flirty and I hope all those snowflakes aren’t going to get offended as he’s just doing it tongue-in-cheek and he’s a cheeky chappy.”
During Monday’s live launch, however, ITV viewers branded the actor “pervy” and called for him to be evicted first.
The Oscar nominee – who had just been introduced to the audience – twirled AJ around on-stage before pulling her towards him, resulting in the pair bumping into one another.
When fellow host Will Best asked if he could win, Mickey paused for a while and said: “I haven’t thought about it.”
The New York-born star then turned to AJ and began to look her up and down, before saying: “Nice outfit.”
She replied: “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
However, when Mickey continued to ogle AJ, she raised her voice slightly and said: “Stop looking at me.”
Moments later, AJ and Will had to physically escort him into the house as his slow pace threatened to delay the live show.
Mickey Rourke's Career Timeline
1970s: Early career
Mickey Rourke began his acting journey in 1971 after studying at the prestigious Actors Studio in New York, under the tutelage of Lee Strasberg. He appeared in minor roles in television shows and films to gain experience.
1978: Made his film debut with a small role in the Steven Spielberg-directed comedy-drama 1941.
1980s: Breakthrough and stardom
1981: Achieved recognition with his role as the arsonist Teddy Lewis in Body Heat, a neo-noir thriller starring William Hurt and Kathleen Turner.
1982: Delivered a critically acclaimed performance in Barry Levinson’s Diner, showcasing his talent and earning attention as a rising star.
1983: Played a memorable role in Rumble Fish, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, alongside Matt Dillon, Diane Lane, and Dennis Hopper.
1986: Starred in 9½ Weeks, a provocative romantic drama opposite Kim Basinger. The film became a cult classic, cementing his status as a Hollywood leading man.
1987: Gave a standout performance in Angel Heart, a psychological thriller directed by Alan Parker, co-starring Robert De Niro and Lisa Bonet.
1990s: Career decline and transition to boxing
1991: Mickey shifted focus from acting to professional boxing, citing dissatisfaction with Hollywood and the roles he was being offered.
He competed in several matches and sustained injuries during his career in the ring leading which led to an addiction to plastic surgery.
Throughout the 1990s, Rourke’s film appearances were sporadic and mostly in lesser-known or poorly received productions.
2000s: Career comeback
2000: Returned to the screen in supporting roles, including in The Pledge, directed by Sean Penn, and Get Carter alongside Sylvester Stallone.
2005: Achieved a major career revival with his performance as Marv in Sin City, a visually striking neo-noir film directed by Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller.
2008: Delivered an award-winning performance in The Wrestler, directed by Darren Aronofsky. Rourke played Randy “The Ram” Robinson, a washed-up professional wrestler seeking redemption. The role earned him a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
2010s: Continued success
2010: Portrayed the villain Ivan Vanko/Whiplash in Iron Man 2, starring alongside Robert Downey Jr.
2011: Appeared in Immortals, a fantasy-action film directed by Tarsem Singh.
Throughout the decade, Rourke continued acting in smaller films and projects, maintaining a presence in Hollywood while occasionally taking on eccentric or offbeat roles.