“I’m in love with him”: Terri Irwin sets the record straight on romance rumours with Russell Crowe
After making headlines last year over speculation that she’s Russell Crowe’s new beau, Terri Irwin has spoken out and set the record straight.
Terri, 54, featured on The Sunday Project and spoke about her admiration for the Oscar-winning actor as she jokingly claimed she was mad about him.
Speaking to Lisa Wilkinson, the wife of the late Crocodile Hunter said: “I am in love with him, I have to admit it.
“I am desperately and totally in love.”
But it was the look on her face that gave it away, as her sly smirk revealed that the mother-of-two was only joking.
The wildlife conservationist continued to make light of the situation as Lisa asked, “Does he know about that?” to which she replied saying she was calling him after the show to let him know.
But despite the witty remarks, Terri spoke about the high level of respect she holds for the Gladiator star as like her, he also holds animals close to his heart.
“I do love Russell,” she said, as she touched on their close friendship.
She continued: “I do really, really think the world of him.
“He loves wildlife, he is very considerate about helping what we are doing and is a good guy.”
After the death of Steve Irwin in 2006, Terri and Russell formed a close friendship.
Russell has previously discussed his admiration for Steve and his family, as he was good friends with the late zookeeper.
“I was great friends with Steve and his wife and his kids are really important to me. They’re beautiful people,” he told Newscorp.
And even though rumours surrounding Terri and Russell were rife, that didn’t stop him from gushing over her.
“Terri is one of the greatest women I’ve ever met in my life, without there being implication of intimacy or whatever,” he said.
“You know I do love Terri Irwin, I love her kids and I love how she’s kept the memory of Steve alive, and respected the work that the two of them had begun and she’s an absolute champion.”