Robert Irwin has defended his close relationship with his family.
The 20-year-old zookeeper and TV presenter hit back at claims his mum Terri was a “helicopter parent” and that it was “creepy” that they spent so much time together.
Robert said he enjoyed an extremely close bond with his clan following the loss of his famous father Steve Irwin.
Steve died on 4 September 2006, aged 44, after a stingray pierced his chest while he was filming a documentary about the Great Barrier Reef.
Robert was only two years and nine months old at the time, while his sister Bindi was eight.
“I think loss brings a family together like nothing else… people forget that,” Robert said during an interview on The The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Monday.
“I think when we lost Dad, our little family unit became incredibly close. And we travel with the whole family everywhere most of the time. It’s nice.”
Robert’s close relationship with his mother Terri, 60, has been met with criticism from fans. who think the two are “joined at the hip.”
Robert Irwin has defended his close relationship with his family
Terri is often seen with Robert at red carpet events and her public appearances with the popular celebrity conservationist have increased since Robert’s shock split from girlfriend Rorie Buckey in February.
Reports later emerged that Terri’s views on the relationship may have contributed to the breakup.
She also accompanied Robert to South Africa and was on set while he filmed I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! this year. Robert also invited Bindi and her two-year-old niece, Grace Warier, to join him during filming.
The 20-year-old zookeeper and TV presenter hit back at claims his mum Terri was a “helicopter parent” and that it was “creepy” that they spent so much time together.
In April, a producer from I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! expressed concern for Robert and his ever-present mother.
Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail Australia at the time, the unnamed producer admitted that Terri’s presence on set every day was “a bit creepy”, saying: “It gives off ‘take your mum to school camp’ vibes.”
Terri, who has been in charge of Robert and his older sister Bindi’s showbiz careers since Steve’s death, apparently kept a close eye on everything Robert did while working on the show.
Robert said he enjoyed a close bond with his family following the loss of his famous father Steve Irwin. Pictured: Robert on the red carpet with his sister Bindi, 25, and mother Terri, 60, in May
“The two have a great relationship and Terri couldn’t be nicer, but there aren’t many situations where employees have their mother with them at work, just to make sure everything is in order,” the source said.
“The rumor on set is that Robert has been keeping information from his mother about his love life, which is pretty standard for most 20-year-olds,” the source said, claiming that “cracks will continue to appear” if Terri continues to get involved in his love life.
Terri’s parenting tactics continued to raise questions among Robert’s fans when the couple posed together in multiple images shared on Instagram during their trips abroad in May.
In two of the photos, Terri and her son are seen smiling at the camera, and some critics have complained that they are often seen together.
“Robert and his mother are inseparable. She’s in every picture of him,” one person wrote in the comments, while another said: “She’s 20 now!”
Last month, a TV insider revealed to the Daily Mail Australia that Robert was planning to take Terri to the 64th Annual TV Week Logie Awards on August 18 as its “special guest.”
Robert split from his girlfriend of two years, Rorie Buckey, in February. Since then, his mother’s public appearances with the I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! host have increased.
Producers of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, which Robert presents alongside Julia Morris, are said to be concerned that having his 59-year-old mother on his arm “could be a blow to his die-hard fans”.
“The son of the late Steve Irwin is arguably Australia’s most talked-about ‘bachelor’ in the TV industry and everyone knows he wouldn’t have a hard time getting a date, so his decision seems a little odd,” the source said.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Robert Irwin and Terri Irwin for comment.
