Robert Irwin is set to return to Channel 10 after the network announced I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! would be “shelved”.
The 22-year-old conservationist, who is believed to be courting international deals worth up to $50 million, is set to appear on MasterChef Australia on Wednesday.
He’s been promoted to take on a Native Ingredients elimination during Aussie Classics Week, but not everyone is convinced he has the credentials for the job.
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“What does Robert Irwin know about cooking?” a fan asked.
However, Robert recently revealed that cooking is one of his “secret talents”, particularly when it involves sourcing quality native ingredients.
“I love cooking for people. That’s one of my favourite things,” he said in an interview with People.
“I’m no incredible fancy chef, but I will go to great lengths to either grow my own produce or find the best, freshest produce and just cook something super nutritious, super fresh.”
Robert has no shortage of skills, proving he is a talented dancer and conservationist.
He joked that if he wasn’t “catching a crocodile” or in the surf “catching a wave”, he’d be out “trying to go and find the best tomatoes”.
Robert’s cooking nod to father Steve
Robert, who is about to host a Dancing With The Stars spin-off show called The Next Pro, has also been on the Aussie cooking program Ready Steady Cook, where he admitted his love of cooking was also in part due to his late father, Steve’s, passion.
“He was the best chef I’ve ever known, and that’s why we opened our own restaurant — a homage to him,” Robert told host Miguel Maestre in 2024.
Steve loved cooking curry, falling in love with its flavours after living in Sri Lanka, Robert said.
“The amazing thing is, he could have anything in the kitchen, and I mean anything, and he could whip up the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen.”
Warrior Restaurant & Bar, part of the Crocodile Hunter Lodge, focuses on sustainable cooking that celebrates native ingredients.
Chef Curtis Stone will be the guest on Monday night’s elimination episode, and a secret special guest will join on Tuesday night.
I’m A Celeb axed by Channel 10
The network recently revealed the show I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!, hosted by Robert and Julia Morris, would be “rested” in 2027 but hinted it could return in 2028.
Robert already had a fairly stacked 2026 without I’m A Celeb, but the sudden announcement means he’ll have some breathing room to explore other opportunities.
There was even talk this week that he could fetch $50 million multi-year deals now that he’s a household name in America.
“[Robert] will get whatever he wants, basically, and if there’s a competition for him, he’ll get even more money,” celebrity publicist Max Markson told Yahoo Lifestyle.
He explained Aussie networks wouldn’t even be able to get close to those numbers, and Robert might end up spending more time across the Pacific if the right deals came along
Last month, former winner Brendan Fevola revealed an all-star season was being cooked up by Channel 10 before it was axed.
Brendan, who was crowned the King of the Jungle in the 2016 season, said he’d been approached earlier in the year about doing a show with other winners.
The network recently revealed the show I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!, hosted by Robert Irwin and Julia Morris, would be “rested” in 2027 but hinted it could return in 2028.
“There’s been 12 seasons now, so all the winners would go back in,” he said on The Fox’s Fifi, Fev and Nick.
“They’ve just done that in the UK, and they got four times the audience, which is huge ratings. I said no because I’ve got to work, and this [The Fox Breakfast show] is my priority.
“They reckon Channel Seven or Channel Nine will take it. It might be onto another station… the ITV people rang, so I assume it’s still going ahead.”
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