Robert Irwin has landed a major US hosting gig after winning over the American public following his stint on Dancing with the Stars.
Robert Irwin is set to go from the jungle back to the ballroom as he takes on a major hosting gig in the US.
The Aussie was arguably the star of Hulu’s Get Real event in LA on Thursday where the streamer announced its upcoming line-up of reality programs for 2026 – among them is the Dancing with the Stars spin-off program Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro, of which Irwin will come on as host.
“Crikey, this is going to be fun,” the 22-year-old said on the stage at the event, as per USA Today. “I just want to start dancing.”
Robert Irwin has announced he will host the Dancing With The Stars spin-off series, The Next Pro. Picture: Instagram
The Aussie shared the exciting news while in a car alongside DWTS dance partner Witney Carson. Picture: Instagram
Joining Robert on the spin-off, which premieres in the US on July 13, are judges Mark Ballas – a three-time Mirrorball champion – and his pro dancing mother, Shirley Ballas.
The show will also feature a line-up of returning DWTS pros, who will serve as rotating mentors and guest judges for the contestants.
“I am so excited to be back with my ballroom family to host this new era of DWTS,” Robert wrote in a separate Instagram post.
Robert attended Hulu’s Get Ready event in LA on Thursday to promote his new hosting gig. Picture: Instagram
The Aussie star said he is excited to be back with his “ballroom family”. Picture: Instagram
The Next Pro will feature 12 up-and-coming dancers – the best of the best from around the world – who move into a house together and battle through the audition process. Their ultimate goal is to win a spot as a pro dancer on the upcoming Season 35 of Dancing with the Stars.
Reports of Robert’s involvement in the spin-off first made the rounds last month when it was reported by the Daily Mail that the series was currently being filmed in Queensland – his home state.
Robert won fans over during his stint on DWTS last year while partnered up with Witney. Picture: ABC
“It’s going to feel a little bit like Big Brother meets Dancing With The Stars,” a source told the outlet at the time. “The dancers will be living together, training together and competing week by week while viewers get to see everything happening behind the scenes.”
Irwin was an easy choice, according to the source, as he “has become incredibly popular with American audiences”.
It comes after the I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! host took out the top spot himself in the dancing competition alongside his pro partner Witney Carson last year.
It seems success on the hit show runs in the family: his sister, Bindi, collected the Mirrorball trophy back in 2015, aged just 17.
Robert’s sister Bindi and mum Terri were on hand to celebrate his DWTS win. Picture: Eric McCandless/Disney via Getty Images
After being announced as the winner, Robert made a sweet nod to his sibling during an emotional moment on stage.
“My sister said it best: thank you for changing my life,” he said, in floods of tears.
The tears continued as he remembered their late father, beloved The Crocodile Hunter star Steve Irwin, who died in 2006.
“I wish he could see it, I really wish he could be here,” Robert said.
Currently, Robert and his dance partner Witney are touring the US as part of the DWTS live tour, where the pair, other pro-dancers from the show and some celebrities are scheduled to perform more than 70 shows between January to May.