Robert Irwin at the Center of a Network Bidding War
Robert Irwin, one of the most talked-about personalities in Australian television, is currently at the center of a fierce competition among major networks. Insiders suggest that Network Ten is making a strong push to secure the 22-year-old conservationist as the face of several high-profile shows, including a rebooted version of Australian Ninja Warrior.
According to an insider quoted by Daily Mail, Robert is exactly what Ten needs right now. “He’s relatable, he’s got that natural charm and audiences absolutely love him,” the source said. The network is reportedly aiming to lock him in across multiple flagship programs, not just I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!.
Behind the scenes, negotiations are already underway, with Ten keen to position the Wildlife Warrior as their new face. “They want him across the board,” the source added. “If these deals land, Robert becomes their biggest asset.”
However, it seems other networks have similar ideas, with some of Ten’s biggest competitors already looking to poach the in-demand star. Seven Network is reportedly planning to secure Robert as the future host of Dancing With The Stars, following his win on the US version of the series. “Seven sees huge potential in him,” the insider revealed. “They think he could take DWTS into a new era.”
DWTS Australia is currently being hosted by Sonia Kruger and Dr Chris Brown. The competing offers have left Robert weighing up multiple opportunities, with sources suggesting the decision won’t be easy. “He’s incredibly loyal, but these are two very different paths,” says the insider. “He’d thrive in both worlds.”
Meanwhile, Network Ten is said to be lining up back-up plans in case Robert gets a better offer and turns down a spot hosting the Ninja Warrior reboot. Insiders say Beau Ryan is being considered as a potential fallback option — a safe bet given his sporting career and hosting gig on The Amazing Race Australia.
“Beau is a safe pair of hands and already proven with audiences,” the source explains. “But Robert is their first choice, no question.”
The source goes on to say Ten are desperate to keep Robert on the books after seeing how popular he has become on I’m A Celebrity. “They don’t want to lose him,” the insider says. “Not now, not when he’s just getting started.”
Daily Mail has reached out to Ten and Seven for comment. It comes as Robert has also been filming a spin-off series of DWTS, called Dancing With The Stars: The Next Pro, in Brisbane.
Production on the anticipated Disney/BBC series, which Robert will host, is now well underway after two weeks of shooting. Meanwhile, Robert’s former DWTS partner, Witney Carson, is also expected to be a part of the production, with her arrival in Australia imminent.
Her involvement is expected to bring a touch of international polish to the series, with the pair already sharing a strong on-screen connection from their previous stint together. The new series is set to blend high-stakes competition with behind-the-scenes access, as contestants live and train together in a format reminiscent of Big Brother.
