Robert Irwin is set to host I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! We discover his best mates are gay, he loves ABBA and doesn’t compromise on his underwear – is he our best Straight Mate yet?
How does it feel hosting I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here?
It’s indescribably exciting! My bags are packed and I’m ready to go! I’ve been visiting Hoedspruit where the show is filmed since I was eleven, and it’s a place very near and dear to my heart as we support a lot of conservation projects there. It feels like a new way to continue the message from those projects and to reach a whole new audience. It’s a dream come true!
And you visited the set when you were younger?
I did! I had a guest appearance with my family where we were dropped in! We were in a big timber box and the contestants came into camp to find a big surprise – “The Irwins!” That was a great time to be involved because it was the season with Shane Warne. I remember taking in this big theatrical set-up and now to be back as host – it’s like coming full circle.
Did you secretly dream of being the host?
I looked at Dr Chris Brown and thought, “Mate I’m coming to you!” (Laughing) But I truly did think what an amazing experience it would be to get involved. I’ve also been a fan of the show for a long time and often imagine how I would go in some of those trials.
Have you also watched The Amazing Race Australia: Celebrity Edition?
I have! Another great show. Look out, Beau Ryan! I’m going to take everyone’s job! (Laughing)
So, would you go on The Amazing Race as a contestant?
Gee, you’d have to give it a go, wouldn’t you? I feel if I were asked, I’d have to! I know a few of the guys involved and they say it’s an amazing experience. But I feel like my life is the Amazing Race. I end up in so many crazy far-flung places with my conservation work. Man, I’m an old hand at that!
You’re a great photographer. Will you be taking the opportunity in South Africa to capture the wildlife?
How could I not? Where we film near the Drakensberg Mountains is something else. That place is gorgeous, and I plan to get out on a couple of photography expeditions. Australia Zoo supports the Black Mambas Anti-Poaching Unit and the reserve where they patrol in Olifants West is a beautiful place. I hope to spend some time there.
“Luke and his husband Mitch only recently got married and they are two of my closest mates.”
You made a great musical promo for I’m A Celebrity singing and dancing with co-host Julia Morris.
Mate! That was a stack of fun. As soon as I filmed it, I thought, “Wow, if this is anything to go by, this show is going to be a hoot!” It was an adrenaline-filled whirlwind. I had to get all my dance routines covered and now I feel l could take on Dancing With the Stars!
What’s your burn-the-floor dance song?
(Laughing) Gosh, there are so many songs that I reckon fit into that, like Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! by ABBA. And then there’s Dancing Queen! That list goes on. I mean ABBA supplied THE dancefloor songs of the century. I love the Voulez-Vous album too. It’s funny because my music is so varied. I’ll go from AC/DC to John Williamson. I think it’s good to have a broad taste in music. You’ll never get bored!
Do you have gay mates you hang out with?
One hundred per cent! Luke, who was one of my best mates growing up is gay, and he’s also the general manager of Australia Zoo. He and his husband Mitch only recently got married and they are two of my closest mates. They are like big brothers. A lot of my mates are similarly into the natural world and like to get out exploring, hiking and surfing.
“We had one of our big Burmese pythons with us – it was a Britney Spears moment!”
You and Bindi guest-starred on RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under!
We did! What an experience that was! It was hilarious!
And you didn’t even have to drag up!
(Laughing) No, I just threw on my khakis and was ready to go. I had only met RuPaul in person very briefly at an awards show, but what an incredible individual. I was very honoured when Bindi and I were asked to be on the show. We had one of our beautiful big Burmese pythons with us. It was a bit of a Britney Spears moment! (Laughing).
When it comes to music, who is your favourite diva?
I reckon Olivia Newton-John is one of the greatest artists not only in Australia but the world. She was and is such an inspiration to myself, my family and an entire generation. She’s just the absolute boss and is missed dearly in our family. We did a lot with her charity and are kindred spirits with her. Olivia is an icon I look up to.
Who’s your celebrity man crush?
Oh, what a good question! You know, right off the top of my head I’ll go with Padro Pascal (The Last of Us). What a dude! That bloke seems so cool. I’m a huge Star Wars nerd so I love him as the Mandalorian in The Book of Boba Fett. I also got to watch him host Saturday Night Live in the US and he’s very charismatic.
You’ve guest-starred on The Tonight Show eleven times! What was that like?
I’ve had nothing but the best experiences on The Tonight Show. Jimmy Fallon is a hard-working force of nature and such a kind human being. He’s one of those people at the top of his field and the most down-to-earth bloke. I did a lot of animal hosting segments which led to some funny experiences with people I never thought I’d work with. That was the start of my comedic journey too because we did a skit where I played an exaggerated version of myself. I think all that set me up well for the I’m A Celebrity gig!
Who’s the most famous person you’ve met?
Frans Lanting, who most people wouldn’t know, but he’s probably the only person who’s caught me in full star-struck mode. He’s known as one of the greatest ever wildlife photographers. I saw him at some photography awards in London and I just about melted. It’s funny because throughout my life I’ve met a lot of well-known figures and take everyone at face value but in terms of getting starstruck, it was Frans Lanting! The other is the dynamic duo of Paul Nicklen and Cristina Mittermeier who are known as the Brad and Angelina of the photography world, except they are still together and going strong. I haven’t met them in person, but I’ve had a lot to do with them over the years.
You also recently had Henry ‘The Fonz’ Winkler visit Australia Zoo!
That’s true! What a wonderful day! He and his lovely wife spent the morning looking around our wildlife hospital. What an iconic individual! We talked a bit about my I’m A Celebrity gig and he gave me a bit of advice. He’s a very down-to-earth philanthropic guy and Happy Days is such a classic and one of Mum’s favourites. Ron Howard also came to Australia Zoo just before Henry and he’s also very philanthropic. He donated to our charity and is vocal on social media about conservation. He happens to be one of the greatest film directors too!
Do you have a quote you live by?
I do and it’s a quote by Theodore Roosevelt. I found it on the label of a bottle of wine. It’s the most random thing, but when I read it, I thought “Wow!” – “Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure … than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in a grey twilight that knows not victory nor defeat”. In my mind, that is the greatest quote and real words to live by.
That’s a brilliant outlook.
Another sentiment that I think we should all carry is something my dad always said which is to “Treat every living thing as you wish to be treated”. People often say to treat every person how you would want to be treated, but my dad would always say every living thing, whether it’s an animal or the human beings you interact with every day. Treat the natural world itself with respect and care. There you go!
Do you have a grooming tip?
Wow! I’ve never been asked that before! Oh, here’s something – what I reckon is great for your hair is salt water. I kid you not! I don’t know what it is, but when I go for a surf, my hair feels super healthy and looks great too. I use that as an excuse to go surfing! (Laughing) The secret to great hair is salt water! That’s my two cents worth!
Have you had a memorable wardrobe malfunction?
I had one the other day when I was feeding a crocodile at Australia Zoo. I was feeding one croc after another in front of two thousand people and as I jumped from one habitat to the next my shirt caught on the fence and all the buttons popped off. So, I had to do the rest of the croc-feeding demonstration with the open-shirt look, which I wasn’t going for! (Laughing) It was an epic wardrobe malfunction.
What a missed opportunity for the paparazzi!
I know! The tabloids would have loved that! (Laughing)
Just as well it didn’t happen to your shorts, but on that note are you into briefs, fitted boxers or free balling?
Fitted boxers all the way! Always have been and always will be. It’s important to get the right ones because they’re not all built the same. There’s no compromise on comfort! Hang on, I’ve got to get into this because this is important! In my opinion, the basis of your outfit should start with comfy undies and comfy socks. I won’t spend just two bucks on a pair of socks. Nah, they’ve got to be great and good quality! I don’t care where you get the rest of your gear from, but you’ve got to have the base of the look, and no one sees it, but it’s very important – well maybe they will see it! (Laughing)
They would if you rip your shorts on the crocodile fence!
Yes! You just never know what’s going to happen when jumping into a croc enclosure! (Laughing)
‘I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!’ airs Sunday – Thursday at 7.30 pm on 10 & 10 Play
Follow Robert on Instagram @robertirwinphotography
For more on Robert’s photography: robertirwinphotos.com
For Australia Zoo: australiazoo.com.au
