Terri Irwin has shared a touching tribute to her son, Robert Irwin, ahead of the Dancing With The Stars finale on Tuesday night (Wednesday local time).
The touching post features a short video clip showing Robert through the years, with a few clips of the late Steve Irwin doting on his son, alongside a message that reflects both pride and love.
“Robert, when you dance for the final time tomorrow, I will be holding a lifetime of love in my heart,” she began.
“You were the boy full of wonder and adventure, with such compassion for every creature. Your father’s son.
“This journey of dance will shape your life forever. Treasure this day always.💕”
Fans have shared their reaction to the post, with many praising Terri for raising him and sharing how proud they are of Robert.
“The Irwin family has no business making me cry as much as they do. Please don’t ever stop,” one fan commented.
“Steve was a light but you know what Terri so are you,” added another. “I don’t think we’ve ever given you the credit you really deserve for picking up and raising your children to be brighter than their dad’s legacy.”
“So much love in this beautiful footage,” added another.
“You got this Brian. Voting for you!!” quipped a fourth, referencing the viral clip of a young Bindi Irwin calling her then newborn baby brother Brian.
Terri’s friend and former TV presenter Jess Rowe also shared her support for the Irwins, saying: “Oh so, so beautiful… and @terriirwincrikey you are such an extraordinary woman.”
The 20-year-old wildlife conservationist has impressed both judges and audiences throughout the season with his dedication to learning new dance styles, with a lot of the clips from his routines going viral on social media.
Robert and his dance partner Witney Carson have also formed a close bond, with the duo sharing sweet and teary messages to each other ahead of the finale.
“Witney, we made it to the finale, I can’t believe it,” Robert said in an Instagram post.
“At the start of this whole process, I had no idea what to expect. I knew this was a dream, I knew that I was going to give this everything, but it felt impossible, it felt like this huge mountain to climb.
“But as soon as I opened the door and I saw that you were going to be my partner, I felt instantly safe and supported and protected, and I felt that through this entire journey.”
He thanked her for making him a “better person” and for being such a good dance partner and best friend.
Witney held back tears as she shared her message to Robert.
“I’ve already been crying all day,” she said.
“I’m so proud of you, and you really have impressed me so much with your maturity – I can’t even talk…”
“With how you handle very situation in life, you’re just so passionate and positive, and you uplift everyone around you.
“It’s been such a special and memorable season for me, and I’ll never forget it, and just know that you’ll have another older sister to bug you and annoy you and tell you what to do in life.”
She finished by telling him that she was his “number one fan forever” and that she would always be there for him.
For the finale episode, the finalists will perform three dance numbers, including a judges’ choice dance, an instant dance and a freestyle routine.
Robert and Witney are set to perform a quickstep to Jet’s Are You Gonna Be My Girl? for the judges choice, followed by a freestyle to Black & Gold by Sam Sparro and The Nights by Avicii, on Tuesday night.
Images: Instagram
