Wildlife Warrior Robert Irwin scored one of the hottest deals in Australian television when he signed on to host I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!
As reported by the Daily Mail in October, the 20-year-old is set to pocket $430,000 for a six weeks stint in South Africa alongside co-host Julia Morris.
Now its been revealed the budding TV star took on the role after knocking back repeated offers over the last few years – in what has been described as a strategic business move.
An insider told Yahoo Lifestyle the decision to not star on the show as a competitor influenced Robert’s big payday.
Robert’s massive popularity on social media and his high-profile relationship with girlfriend Rorie Buckley also impacted negotiations with the producers and Channel 10.
Wildlife Warrior Robert Irwin reportedly knocking back repeated offers over the last few years to appear on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! which has boosted his pay day
Robert’s massive popularity on social media and his high-profile relationship with girlfriend Rorie Buckley also impacted negotiations with the producers and Channel 10
As reported by the Daily Mail in October, the 20-year-old is set to pocket $430,000 for a six weeks stint in South Africa alongside co-host Julia Morris
Robert currently boasts 4.8million Instagram followers, while posts featuring his sweetheart, 19, continue to go viral.
‘The decision to turn down the experience all these years has really paid off for Robert, who works better as a host rather than a contestant,’ the insider said.
‘Robert Irwin has been asked to do I’m A Celebrity multiple times.
‘The Irwins holding out all these years would have been a pivotal element in negotiating this opportunity and you have to wonder if this would have happened if any of them had agreed to do the show before.’
The source added that ever since I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! debuted in 2014, producers sought a host like Robert’s famous late father Steve Irwin.
Robert is set to earn over $430,000 as host of the hit reality show and they think he will be ‘worth every cent’.
‘His pairing with the witty and ever-entertaining Julia [Morris] has all the makings of a dynamic duo, promising viewers an unforgettable experience,’ a TV insider told Daily Mail Australia.
Back in April, it was revealed that celebrities starring on the popular series are getting paid between $35,000 and $300,000.
Robert, sister Bindi (centre) and his brother-in-law Chandler Powell are social media sensations
Leading the pack was former rugby player and Bachelor star Nick ‘Honey Badger’ Cummins, who reportedly pocketed between $250,000 to $300,000 when he starred on the show.
The next top-billed star for 2023 was Kerri-Anne Kennerely, with the Aussie TV legend taking home $180,000 for her time in the jungle before she quit dramatically after just four days.
Robert beat out big names Sam Pang, Jimmy Rees, Curtis Stone, Beau Ryan and Tristan MacManus for the TV hosting role.
The network had a hard task replacing popular Dr Chris Brown, with casting impressed with Robert’s natural charm in the audition.
