Robert Irwin’s ‘weird’ family confession

After being named The GQ Man of the Year, Social Force, the wildlife warrior made a candid revelation. 

Robert Irwin is all grown up and starting to ponder his celebrity status. 

The now 20-year-old rose to prominence within Australia for his wildlife conservation efforts and, well, being an Irwin.

And after being awarded GQ Australia's Man of the Year, Social Force, he shared some refreshingly down-to-earth thoughts on his family's fame.

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Robert Irwin on the 'Royal Family' effect

"It’s weird, even though I’ve literally been born into it — that Royal Family effect — it still doesn’t make sense," Robert mused in his interview for GQ Australia.

He also grapples with the fact that his every move makes headlines. 

"I don’t understand why paparazzi follow me into the grocery store and report on what I buy. Like, who cares?"

This media attention is nothing new for him, he said.

Robert, whose dad Steve Irwin passed away when he was just three, grew up under the constant gaze of the public.

"When you lose someone like that and it’s such a public thing – you’re three years old, you’re growing up without a father – it’s incredibly difficult. It is indescribably difficult," he shared.

"But on the other side of that, now, when people come up to me and share a story of when they met Dad, tell me how much his documentary meant to them, I almost feel like I get a little piece of him back.

"He’s not around anymore to push his message – now it’s my job."

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Robert Irwin to replace Dr Chris Brown as I'm A Celeb co-host

Robert's public appeal is only set to grow greater, as he gears up to co-host I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here in 2024 alongside Julia Morris. 

He landed the high-profile TV gig following Dr Chris Brown's departure from the show after 10 years.

In a statement from 10, Robert said: "It’s a huge honour to be the new co-host of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! I can’t wait to plunge back into the incredible African jungle and introduce our celebrities to the magnificent wildlife that call the jungle home.

"Most of all, I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work alongside the incredibly kind and talented Julia Morris. Crikey! This is going to be a wild ride!"

Originally published as Robert Irwin’s ‘weird’ family confession