In a dramatic first eviction of the season, Michael Fabricant has become the first celebrity to leave the house in the 2025 edition of Celebrity Big Brother. On the evening of April 11, 2025, the former Conservative MP, aged 74, faced the public vote alongside Hollywood actor Mickey Rourke and Coronation Street star Jack P. Shepherd. The public's decision saw Fabricant exiting the show after receiving the fewest votes from viewers.
As he left the house, Fabricant expressed his sadness, saying, "I’m very sad to be leaving all my friends. We’ve all become such close friends! I love everyone there! We really bonded; they were great people, they were kind." His exit was met with mixed reactions from the audience, who greeted him with both boos and cheers. The former MP had received seven nominations from his fellow housemates, which ultimately led to his eviction.
In the days leading up to the eviction, tensions in the house had been high, particularly due to Rourke's controversial behavior. The actor had been issued a warning by Big Brother after making homophobic remarks directed at JoJo Siwa, a 21-year-old pop star and dancer. During a heated exchange, Rourke suggested that if he stayed in the house longer than four days, Siwa "won’t be gay anymore," and later made a crude comment about tying her up. These remarks left Siwa in tears and prompted a backlash from viewers on social media, who labeled Rourke a 'homophobe'.
Fans expressed their outrage on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), with one user stating, "So they kept a homophobe... nice great," and another lamenting, "Michael should still be in the house, Jack is boring." Many viewers felt that Fabricant's eviction was unjust, considering Rourke's behavior. One fan tweeted, "I feel so bad for Michael. It should have been Mickey evicted!"
Meanwhile, the housemates were tasked with various challenges, including a performance to restore electricity and hot water after a surprise power cut. Fabricant participated in a political speech as part of the task, which was interrupted by Trisha Goddard, who cautioned him against spreading Islamophobia. Fabricant, who has a history in politics, defended his comments, stating, "I think one person took it too seriously; it was meant to be light-hearted." However, Goddard was not convinced and later remarked, "Are you slipping into Islamophobia?"
Rourke's behavior had not only affected Siwa but also led to emotional moments for other housemates. EastEnders actress Patsy Palmer was left in tears after Rourke criticized her cooking, leading to a confrontation where she stated, "What do you know, you can't cook?" Following the incident, Palmer expressed her disappointment in the Diary Room, saying, "I tried to talk that one out but it didn’t really work. I feel like I let myself down there."
Despite the turmoil, the show has continued to capture viewers' attention, with many tuning in to see how the dynamics will shift following Fabricant's departure. Celebrity Big Brother airs on ITV1 and ITVX, with the next episode set to air on Sunday at 9 PM.
In the aftermath of the eviction, fans are left wondering how Rourke will navigate the house's social dynamics, especially after being given a formal warning for his comments. As the series progresses, viewers are eager to see if the public's sentiment will shift regarding the remaining contestants.
With Fabricant gone, the remaining housemates will now have to contend with the fallout from the eviction and the ongoing controversies surrounding Rourke. The show's producers have promised to address inappropriate behavior swiftly, ensuring that all housemates receive training on respect and inclusion before entering the house.
As the competition heats up, the remaining celebrities will have to balance entertainment with personal relationships, all while under the scrutiny of the public eye. The next eviction will surely bring more surprises and possibly more dramatic confrontations as tensions rise in the Big Brother house.
For now, fans can only speculate on who will be the next to leave the house and how the dynamics will evolve in the coming weeks. Celebrity Big Brother continues to be a hot topic, reflecting not just the personal dramas of its contestants but also broader societal conversations about respect and acceptance.
