Robert Irwin’s unexpected new TV career move revealed

The 19-year-old wildlife warrior has reportedly landed a very high-profile new TV gig – and it’s not at all what you’d expect.

The new co-host for I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here has reportedly been revealed following Dr Chris Brown’s departure from the show after a decade – and it’s an unexpected choice.

According to TV Blackbox, wildlife warrior Robert Irwin has been chosen to helm the South Africa-based show alongside Julia Morris from next season.

It follows plenty of speculation about who would take over the role, with rumours that seasoned presenters including Peter Helliar and Joel Creasey had been considered.

While 19-year-old Robert is relatively inexperienced when it comes to TV hosting – he briefly filled in for Sam Mac as the Sunrise weatherman recently – he’s certainly spent plenty of time in front of the cameras.

The son of “crocodile hunter” Steve Irwin has even appeared as a guest on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

Robert with iconic US TV host Jimmy Fallon.

Robert’s expertise with dangerous creatures is also likely to come in handy on the jungle set for I’m A Celeb.

When contacted by news.com.au, a Network 10 spokesman said: “In true style for I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, the guessing game of who is in the jungle is already afoot with speculation galore as to who will fill those very big shoes for Australia’s most sought after hosting gig.

“But you know how this goes, just like the celebrities in the camp, we can neither confirm nor deny any rumours surrounding a new jungle host. For now, we’ll just have to keep you hanging until our intimate Upfront event reveals all...”

Robert Irwin celebrating his 19th birthday at Australia Zoo in December. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

It’s been a big year for Robert: in July, he sparked plenty of headlines as he made his red carpet debut with his girlfriend, Rorie Buckey – the niece of late star Heath Ledger – at the Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning premiere in Sydney.

Meanwhile, his reported new TV co-host, Julia Morris, teased details of the casting process for Brown’s replacement earlier this year.

The TV presenter told Yahoo Lifestyle that after almost a decade, Ten’s reality show would now be going in a “completely different way”.

“I’m going to have to leave everything of the past behind,” she told the publication, explaining that she was doing “chemistry” tests with six potential candidates.

“Whoever comes in is going to want to build that together. So there’s plenty of space for that person, we’re just looking forward to finding out who that’s going to be.”

Morris, 55, also outlined the pressure that was on her and the successful candidate.

“Whoever that person is going to have a huge effect on whether I’m working over the next few years, so I want it to work,” she said.

Brown and Morris co-hosted the show together for a decade. Picture: Ten

Brown’s departure from Ten after 15 years was revealed in February, with news he had been poached by rival network Seven.

His departure was a blow for Ten, who had used the popular TV presenter across multiple programs over the years, but especially for Morris, as she told news.com.au following their last season together on I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here.

“I’m just sad in my heart,” she confessed.

“I think I’m still in shock, and in a very healthy way, I’ve decided to completely ignore it in my brain. This series has felt even more fun than usual, so I’m just not allowing my brain to click over to the fact it won’t be in this incarnation anymore.”

Brown himself added that it was challenging saying goodbye to the show he “loves so much”.

“It’s definitely been [difficult], and that’s been because I love the show so much,” he said.

“It’s been hard to count down how many shows you have left, and realise it’s the last time you do this or that,” he said. “But it’s allowed me to treasure every single day I’ve had over here. It’s also given the entire crew the chance to crack jokes about it.”

Originally published as Robert Irwin’s unexpected new TV career move revealed