Robert Irwin has landed in South African ahead of filming the latest season of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here.
The TV host and conservationist, 21, made the trip with his mother Terri Irwin, amid claims the 60-year-old matriarch stopped him from bringing his new girlfriend into the jungle.
But the mother and son were all smiles on Robert’s social media.
Posting to his stories on Friday, Robert and Terri can be seen posing in the cockpit of their plane after it landed safely in South Africa.
‘Thanks for a great flight,’ the Gold Logie nominee captioned the snap, which also included two of the plane’s crew members.
Robert also included some ‘sightseeing’ video filmed from his car as it travelled through bushland in the Instagram.
Robert Irwin has landed in South African ahead of filming the latest season of I’m a Celebrity …Get Me Out of Here which is set to drop on January 19. Pictured: The TV host and conservationist, 21, made the trip with his mother Terri Irwin
The mother and son made the journey amid claims the 60-year-old matriarch stopped Robert from bringing his new girlfriend into the jungle
The footage included images of the local wildlife, including a warthog and a herd of zebras.
At one point, the photogenic zookeeper could be seen carrying a small tortoise to safety after it wandered into traffic.
‘Helping this little dude cross the road,’ Robert explained in the caption, as he can be ‘rescuing’ the creature.
It comes after Daily Mail Australia revealed exclusively that Terri Irwin prevented her son from bringing his new girlfriend into the jungle.
Robert is rumoured to be dating Charlotte Briggs, a former staff member of Australia Zoo, since November 2024.
Sources tell Daily Mail Australia the television star is waiting for his mum to approve of his new ‘squeeze’ before debuting their relationship to the public.
So it’s no surprise the ‘momager’ has thrown a massive spanner in the works for Robert by ending his plans to have Charlotte joining him for his second go round as co-host of IAC, which is set to drop on January 19.
‘The ‘secret girlfriend’ isn’t a big secret amongst the staff at Australia Zoo, but is still not something the Irwins are ready to share with the world,’ a source close to the Zoo tells Daily Mail Australia.
Posting to his stories on Friday Robert and Terri shared ‘sightseeing’ video, including a segment in which the zookeeper rescued a tortoise. (Pictured)
Robert also filmed a herd of zebras
‘Terri wants Robert to focus on his career and she isn’t ready to have him tied up in a family like Bindi.’
At least, not yet.
Meanwhile, an I’m A Celebrity crew member says Terri is confirmed to stay by her youngest child’s side for the duration of filming in the jungle – ‘something producers were hoping would be different for the 2025 series’.
It’s not the first time Robert has been ‘blocked’ from taking a partner on a job – with his previous girlfriend Rorie Buckey being dumped last year just before they had planned to be both in South Africa during production in 2024.
All eyes are on Robert’s social media this week – waiting for the hard launch of Charlotte – but some insiders are dubious that the supposed ‘eligible bachelor’ will confirm his relationship status prior to the series launching on January 19.
‘Putting the relationship on pause for the next four to five weeks could be a part of Terri’s plan,’ the source continues.
‘Could that kind of separation strain be what has been going on with Robert and his mystery woman?’
On Tuesday, Robert and mum Terri arrived at Sydney Airport just 10 days out from the premiere of I’m A Celeb’s anticipated season on Channel 10.
Robert was linked to Australia Zoo employee Charlotte Briggs (pictured) after they were seen out-and-about on a string of outings together
They were joined by the family’s ‘right-hand man’ Luke Reavley.
The mother-of-two’s luggage was emblazoned with Disney characters like Mickey Mouse, making it stand out amongst the travellers’ solid-coloured bags.
Robert was most recently linked to Charlotte after they were seen out-and-about on a string of outings together.
Back in July, the pair were hit by rumours that they were dating after they were seen looking close while arriving in Sydney together.
They were joined by Robert’s mother Terri as they jetted into the city ahead of Robert making an appearance on The Project.
Robert and Charlotte were later seen checking into a luxury Sydney hotel together, with Terri joining them.
The pair put on a chatty display at the front of the establishment before walking inside together.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Robert Irwin for comment.
Robert split from his long term girlfriend Rorie Buckley in February
It marked the first time Robert was linked to someone else after his shock split from girlfriend Rorie in February.
Charlotte is well known in the world of cricket and was a member of the Queensland team the Sunshine Coast Scorchers between 2020 and 2021.
The impressive athlete is a bowling all-rounder and a right arm fast bowler.
‘Charlotte was one of the leading wicket-takers in the 2020/21 season and was one of the key to the team getting over the line in a few games in the 2021 season,’ a biography for the player reads on the official Sunshine Coast Scorchers website.
‘Charlotte is one of the original Scorcher ladies who still put the effort in from year to year,’ it continues.
‘Her key role has been in the year past is bowling the death overs with success and bat in the middle to late order batting.’
She was named a ‘female trailblazer’ in the sport in 2021 by Century Cricket Competitions Queensland and has won multiple awards for her bowling and game play.
She has a long history in cricket, playing for the Queensland Burners when she was under 18 and taking part in the Queensland Cricket Under-18 Female Rookie Challenge in 2017.
Robert recently opened up about his dating life on The Kyle and Jackie O Show following his split from his girlfriend Rorie early last year.
‘How’s the dating world going? I know you were with someone,’ host Kyle Sandilands asked.
Robert responded: ‘At the moment I’ve been absolutely flat out. Logies and the I’m A Celebrity stuff so it’s been super busy.’
Robert and Rorie wiped all traces of their relationship from each other’s social media shortly after announcing their shock break-up in February.
After dating for almost two years, they made a joint statement about their split in a post shared to Rorie’s Instagram page.
They said they had ‘decided to go their separate ways’ but ‘appreciated all the time spent together’.
The statement read: ‘We wanted to share that we have decided to go our separate ways but profoundly appreciate all the time spent together and wish one another all the very best into the future.
‘We wish to express the gratitude and respect we have for one another as we continue our journeys on different paths.
‘We won’t be commenting further on this, and really appreciate your respect and privacy at this time.’
Robert and Rorie were believed to have been dating since November 2022, but didn’t go Instagram official until almost a year later in August 2023.
