Robert Irwin has left Dancing With The Stars viewers teary-eyed after a breathtaking and deeply emotional performance that celebrated both his sister Bindi and their late father, Steve Irwin.
Robert danced alongside professional partner Witney Carson – and in a surprise twist, Bindi joined them in the final moments. Their foxtrot was set to Leona Lewis’ Footprints in the Sand – the same song Bindi danced to 10 years ago when she paid tribute to their dad.
Just like his sister, Robert earned perfect 10s across the board, with the dance ending as old clips of Robert and Steve were projected onto the ballroom floor.
Overcome with emotion, Robert sank to the ground and was embraced by Witney and Bindi as the audience rose to its feet.
“When Bindi came out I absolutely sobbbbbbbed,” one viewer wrote.
“No one more deserving of the first perfect score of the season,” another said.
“I will never emotionally recover from this,” added a third.
The heartfelt routine marked a full-circle moment for the Irwin family. Before the show, Robert posted a touching video taken 22 years ago – the moment baby Robert came into the world. In the clip, a beaming Steve cradles his newborn son while telling little Bindi she now has a baby brother.
Despite his name being Robert Clarence Irwin, young Bindi insists in the clip that she’ll “call him Brian, for short.”
“It’s like the whole reason you’ve been put on this earth is to do this,” Steve says lovingly, holding his son close. “That’s what it seems like.”
Sharing the old footage, Robert wrote that his dance was “inspired by my sister and it’s in memory of my dad.”
“My family is everything to me, and I can’t wait for this special night,” he said.
Fans flooded his comments with love.
“You can see the depth of your dad’s love for you in his eyes.” One person wrote.
“Beautiful family and your dad, what a man!” A second said. “After all these years still brings a tear to my eye.”
“The man loved his children so much,” another added. “It’s so sad that he was taken from them so early, making me tear up.”
Robert later shared a photo of Steve holding him as a newborn, writing simply, “This one’s for you, dad. It’s going to be a special night on @dancingwiththestars.”
For many, it was more than a dance – it was a living tribute to love, legacy and the unbreakable Irwin family bond.
Images: Disney
