Robert Irwin wins Dancing with the Stars, a decade after sister’s victory

Robert Irwin, son of the late conservationist Steve Irwin, has been crowned the winner of Dancing with the Stars this year, a decade after his older sister Bindi won the same title.

The popular American dancing competition sees stars team up with professional dancers to perform in front of a panel of judges, with the audience also voting for their favorite duo.

The 21-year-old’s victory was assured after a stellar performance across week 11 of the show, which included a tribute to her father and a surprise appearance from her sister Bindi.

With a large following of fans in the US, Irwin’s finale featured a choreographed dance to a song by Australian rock band Jett.

During the three-hour finale on Tuesday evening local time, Irwin and his dance partner Witney Carson also performed songs by Avicii and Sydney-born Sam Sparrow.

They then prevailed in an “improvised dance challenge” – where Irwin and Carson were briefed on the style and song just minutes before going on stage.

Irwin, who competed in the final despite a rib injury, defeated fellow finalists including impressive Alix Earle and Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles.

This came despite three contestants – except Irwin – earning a perfect score of 30 for their first dance. However, after some time, Irwin got the correct score.

After his final performance he burst into tears and said he wanted to make his father proud.

“I wish he could have seen it, I really wish he was here,” he said.

Steve Irwin was famous for his TV wildlife show, in which he was regularly seen handling crocodiles and which led to him being dubbed the “crocodile hunter”.

They were killed by a stingray during a diving expedition off the Australian coast in 2006, when Robert was just a child.

Following his father’s love of wildlife, Robert Irwin has long been a keen photographer and recently became an Earthshot Ambassador.