Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Steve Irwin's son went on Jimmy Fallon to melt hearts by following in his dad's foosteps

'It's just in my blood. I've actually grown up at Australian zoos, so I think I'm the luckiest kid on planet Earth'

Clarisse Loughrey
Sunday 19 February 2017 15:56 GMT
Comments
Steve Irwin's son went on Jimmy Fallon to melt hearts and follow in his father's footsteps

Robert Irwin made his solo television debut on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon - and he surely would have made his dad extremely proud.

Following in his footsteps, the 13-year-old son of the late Steve Irwin portrayed all the same intelligence, enthusiasm, and charm that made the Australian naturalist so internationally beloved.

Indeed, Steve Irwin himself made several appearances on The Tonight Show back when it was hosted by Jay Leno, before sadly passing away in 2006 after a fatal injury by a stingray barb, while filming a documentary on the Great Barrier Reef.

"It's just in my blood," Robert told Fallon on the show. "I've actually grown up at Australian zoos, so I think I'm the luckiest kid on planet Earth."

He also helped the talk show host to overcome his fears, by introducing him to a few of his favourite animals; including African dwarf crocodile Beetlejuice, screaming armadillo Mickey, red-tailed boa Lady, and sloth Valentino.


Robert appeared on the show ahead of the Steve Irwin Gala Dinner on 13 May, a yearly fundraiser in aid of conservation charities.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in