Robert Irwin topples Hamish Blake as most popular Aussie TV talent

He’s yet to officially make his prime time TV hosting debut, but Robert Irwin has managed to beat Australia’s biggest stars for a huge TV honour.

Just days out from his prime time TV hosting debut, Robert Irwin has been named Australia’s most popular broadcast personality for 2024.

The Queensland-based wildlife warrior, aged just 20, has toppled comedic veteran Hamish Blake to win the top broadcast personality on the Australian Talent Index’s annual Top Talent Report announced Thursday, which also marks his first ever appearance on the list.

It’s an unprecedented feat, coming days ahead of Irwin’s first showing as co-host of Channel 10’s I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here!, which premieres Sunday night.

Robert Irwin has toppled Aussie stars to take out most popular TV talent.

Move over Hamish Blake. Picture: James Gourley/Getty Images for AFI

Irwin, who has started rehearsals for the reality show in South Africa with co-star Julia Morris, was overwhelmed with emotion by his achievement.

“This is such an incredible honour … It really is for me,” Irwin told news.com.au.

“To be recognised in my home [country] means so much because throughout my life, so much of what I’ve done has ended up being over in the [United] States or the UK and kind of all over the place.

“Australia is always where my heart is. It’s where I live, it’s where I work, it’s who I am. And I just love this place more than anything.

“And I think stepping into a show where, for the first time, I’m really getting to hit that Australian audience like never before and reach a new audience that I’ve not really reached before.”

Irwin, son of the late Steve Irwin, has been an advocate for wildlife conservation since he was a child.

He said his sole career goal has always been to stay true to his beloved father’s legacy.

And while hosting a show for a prominent TV network is a “dream come true”, Irwin views the gig as a powerful platform to get his family’s message out there – while also having some fun along the way.

“I’ve always carried my dad’s legacy with me.” Picture: Lou O'Brien

“I have a real purpose and a real mission behind everything I do. From a very young age, I’ve known that conservation and spreading a message of positivity and wildlife preservation has always just been so near and dear to my heart. It’s just part of who I am,” he said.

“And being in front of the camera and stepping into that role more and more as I’ve gotten older, it’s such a wonderful honour to be recognised for that, but also for my mission and the message behind what I do to be recognised as well.

“There’s so many different ways to do that. I’ve always carried my dad’s legacy with me, which is a very special and meaningful thing for me.

“But as I’ve grown up, I’ve found my own individual ways to do that, and to create my own message, my own legacy and my own identity.

“I have found that both in front of the camera and behind the camera, whether it’s doing wildlife documentaries or hosting animal presenting on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

“That’s what really means a lot, is that people are listening to the message I’m trying to put out – spreading a bit of positivity in a world that needs it.”

Robert Irwin and Julia Morris. Picture: Lucas Dawson Photography

The Top Talent Report showcases the latest findings of the Australian Talent Index – a measurement system that gauges consumers’ awareness, attitudes, and sentiments towards a range of local talent.

More than 7000 Aussies were surveyed by Lewers Research for this year’s ranking, rating more than 400 personalities, with Blake coming in second, Andy Lee placing third and previous I’m A Celebrity co-host Dr Chris Brown at fourth.

Irwin’s mother Terri is in South Africa by his side for his first days on-set in the jungle. She was with him when he found out about the honour during this interview with news.com.au.

When asked how his mum has influenced who he is, Irwin’s eloquent answer brought them both to tears.

“I think throughout my entire life, navigating all of the craziness of the world that we all navigate, but also the world that I’m in, has so many different added layers of challenge, from grief at a young age, to navigating being in the public eye, and being able to do that, it’s really a credit to my mum, truly,” he said.

Robert Irwin says he “lucked out in the mum department” with Terri.

“And to my family that I have around me all the time. You need someone, and a group of people, to keep you grounded, to keep you positive and uplifted, especially in the world of social media and whatnot.

“My mum has been the person to not only always be there for myself and Bindi through all the ups and downs, but she’s also the person that we just look up to.

“I mean, my mum really paved the way for what I would hope to be in my life. Someone who carries out a legacy … I’m very lucky. I lucked out in the mum department.”

I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! premieres Sunday at 7.30pm on Channel 10

Originally published as Robert Irwin topples Hamish Blake as most popular Aussie TV talent