Robert Irwin may be stepping into a new adventure on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! — but it appears one person won’t be joining him for the ride: his rumored new girlfriend. According to reports, Terri Irwin has put her foot down, quietly blocking the young wildlife warrior’s potential plus-one from tagging along to South Africa.
Sources close to the Irwin family claim Robert, 21, had hoped to have his reported partner accompany him during filming, offering moral support in what will be one of his most high-profile TV gigs yet. The relationship, while not officially confirmed, has been sparking headlines over the past few months as fans speculate about Robert’s love life away from the Australia Zoo.
But insiders say Terri wasn’t keen on the idea. The protective matriarch, who has been both mother and manager since Steve Irwin’s passing in 2006, allegedly felt that having Robert’s rumored girlfriend present could distract from his work and the family’s carefully managed public image. “It’s not personal,” one source noted. “Terri just thinks the focus should be on Robert’s career, not his dating life.”
The decision has reportedly caused tension behind the scenes. While Robert is said to respect his mother’s judgment, those in his circle suggest he’s disappointed by the outcome. For a young man who has spent nearly his entire life in the public eye, having someone close by during the grueling reality series could have provided a sense of normalcy in an otherwise intense environment.
Adding to the intrigue, neither Robert nor the mystery woman has addressed the reports directly, leaving fans to piece together clues from social media posts and recent sightings. The absence of any public confirmation has only fueled speculation, with some suggesting the romance has been deliberately kept under wraps to avoid media frenzy.
Terri Irwin’s protective stance is nothing new. She has long been vocal about shielding both Robert and his sister, Bindi, from undue scrutiny. Over the years, she’s carefully navigated the balance between their private lives and the family’s global conservation brand, ensuring that personal relationships don’t overshadow the Irwin legacy.
For Robert, the upcoming season of I’m A Celebrity is a major step in his own right. Following in his late father’s footsteps, he’s built a strong reputation as a conservationist and TV personality, but the show will push him into a new level of mainstream exposure. Producers are reportedly banking on his charisma, quick wit, and adventurous spirit to make him a standout star of the season.
Whether romance plays any role in his jungle journey remains to be seen. For now, Terri’s decision appears final — and Robert will be entering the South African wilds solo. But in the world of celebrity reality TV, absence sometimes makes the heart (and the public’s curiosity) grow even fonder.
