Robert Irwin is the ‘hot favourite’ to win the Gold Logie at the 64th annual TV Week Logie Awards on August 18 this year.
And there is one very special guest he will invite along to share the monumental moment with.
Sources tell Daily Mail Australia the celebrity conservationist, 20, will be accompanied by his mother and matriarch of the Irwin family, Terri, despite recent backlash from fans who think the pair are ‘joined at the hip’.
It is said producers of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, which Robert hosts alongside Julia Morris, are concerned having his mother, 59, on his arm could ‘land with a massive thud with his core 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 find it hard to pull a date. Which is why his decision seems a little odd,’ the insider said.
‘He told the producers of I’m A Celebrity he plans to share the night’s celebrations with his Mum – who has been his biggest supporter.’
They continued: ‘However, the producers feel his decision is going to land with a massive thud with his core fans.
‘The mother and son travel everywhere together and since his break-up with Lorie Buckey they seem to be tighter than ever.
‘It is an odd dynamic for a 20-year-old boy to be so attached to his mother and many think it is time for Robert to step out from under her wings,’ the insider added.
The question of who Robert would pick to be on his arm at the Logies this year was widely speculated among industry insiders, given most attendees aren’t allowed to bring guests along with them.
‘That is how packed the awards night is – the venue simply doesn’t have the room,’ the source said.
‘Only the nominees for the Gold Logie are guaranteed the opportunity to bring a family member or a friend. Usually the nominee would bring their partner.
‘Those conversations are usually discussed internally with the unspoken rule that you require “network approval” with who you bring along.’
However, it seems Robert is intent on giving that coveted guest seat to mother, who also accompanied him to South Africa and was on set while he filmed I’m A Celebrity for Network Ten this year.
Back in April, a producer for I’m A Celebrity expressed concerns for Robert and his ever-present mother.
Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail Australia at the time, an anonymous producer admitted that Terri’s presence on set every day was ‘a little creepy’, saying: ‘It is giving “bringing your-mum-to-school-camp” vibes.’
Terri, who has been in charge of Robert and his big sister Bindi’s showbiz careers since the death of their father Steve Irwin in 2006, apparently kept a close eye on everything Robert did while working on the program.
‘The two have an excellent relationship and Terri couldn’t be nicer but there are not many situations where employees will have their mum at work with them, just to make sure everything is above board,’ the insider said.
Comparing Terri to the Kardashians’ famous ‘momager’ Kris Jenner, the producer claimed Robert’s contract even included a section that allowed him to bring his family on set.
‘The deal was done when Robert signed on as host late last year. He wanted his family to come with him,’ they alleged, adding: ‘Maybe it will be just for this series, but maybe Terri will always be standing in the wings. Who knows.’
Robert previously confirmed the entire Irwin clan would be joining him in South Africa, telling The Daily Telegraph in January: ‘I’ve got everyone, including my little niece Grace, coming over, so the whole family are there.’
While Terri was said to be ‘in her element’ watching Robert win over audiences on the show, the producer cast some doubts about the zookeeper’s protective attitude – especially when it comes to her son’s dating life.
Robert split from girlfriend Rorie Buckey earlier this year after nearly two years of dating, with reports claiming Terri’s opinions of the relationship may have contributed to the break-up.
‘The rumour on set is that Robert has been withholding information from his mum on his dating life, which is pretty standard for most 20-year-old boys,’ the source spilled, claiming that ‘cracks will continue to appear’ if Terri continues to get involved in his love life.
However, the following month, Terri’s helicopter parenting tactics began to raise questions among Robert’s fans when the pair posed together in multiple images shared to Instagram during their travels overseas in May.
In two of the photos, Terri and her son were pictured beaming for the camera, and some detractors complained the pair are frequently seen together.
‘Is Robert and his mother joined at the hip. She is in every pic you see of him,’ one person wrote in the comments while another said: ‘He’s 20 now!’
However, there was plenty of support for their close relationship, with one person replying: ‘He’s a lucky young man to have her.’
Another wrote: ‘People saying why Robert has his mum in so many photos. Remember every day is precious. Life is fragile. The Irwin’s like millions of other families have experienced loss on a monumental scale.
‘Steve was larger than life. It’s lovely that they do spend so much time with each other. Don’t be so critical.’
Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Robert and Terri for comment.
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