He’s one and done! While Robert Irwin received rave reviews for his co-hosting on this season of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, a TV insider tells Woman’s Day he won’t be back next season!
“As Julia’s sidekick, the TV natural has delivered in spades,” says the source. “His easygoing and faultless live TV skills have won over the nation. But his career at Ten will only be short-lived, and he is heading back to Seven.”
According to the network spy, Robert cleverly signed on for only one series in Africa.
“The Irwins are very smart when it comes to negotiations, all led by his mum Terri,” says the insider of the 59-year-old, who has been labelled the ultimate “mumager” and even accompanied Robert into the jungle. “She and her son see I’m A Celeb as a great one-off job to raise his mainstream TV profile… and it has!”
But, as the source points out, it was at Seven that the 20-year-old really started to shine, during his brief stint on Sunrise last year. “They spent a long time investing in and nurturing his live TV expertise, even allowing him to replace weatherman Sam Mac when he was on leave,” says the insider.
“I’m still gunning for that position,” Robert joked at the time, of making the position a permanent gig. “Sam Mac, I am coming for ya!”
But the insider says Seven bosses are serious about giving him a spot on the network. After all, he’s officially the number one TV star in the country – Robert was recently named Australia’s most popular broadcast personality ahead of the likes of Hamish Blake, Andy Lee and former I’m A Celeb host Dr Chris Brown, 45.
THE BIG BUCKS!
“Seven want Robert back and have thrown a king’s ransom at him,” reveals the source, who adds the fan favourite is very keen. “He feels loyal to Seven, who have a team working on a new wildlife TV project for him.”
And, adds the spy, “he never burned his bridges at Seven”.
Now, I’m A Celeb producers and Julia, 55, might be left scrambling for a replacement co-host again. And Julia’s first pick would be her original offsider. “I love him dearly,” she says.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
