Robert Irwin left fans blushing during the latest episode of Dancing With The Stars US.
The Aussie wildlife warrior, son of the late Steve Irwin, hit the dance floor on Tuesday with partner Witney Carson for a fiery tango and the chemistry was undeniable.
Performing to the 2002 one-hit wonder Move Your Feet, the duo wowed the crowd with Robert’s big energy and charm, earning him a standing ovation from the audience.
It was Robert Irwin’s steamy performance that really caught viewers’ attention.
The 21-year-old kicked off the routine with a smouldering gaze at partner Witney before diving into a passionate tango.
Striding confidently across the stage with his blonde co-star, Robert’s sharp head turns and sultry energy were a striking contrast to his usual wholesome persona as Australia’s beloved wildlife star.
As if the audience hadn’t been surprised enough, midway through their routine Robert and Witney switched things up with retro noughties dance moves, paying homage to the original hit.
They traded the tango for playful robot moves and even some floor-based hip-hop, leaving the crowd – including Robert’s mum Terri and sister Bindi – laughing out loud.
The steamy tango earned Robert an 8 from Carrie Ann and 7s from both Derek and Bruno, totaling 22 out of 30 and keeping him at the top of the leaderboard.
Fans flooded the DWTS Instagram page, raving about his sizzling performance.
“Such a sexy tango,” one wrote, while another added, “Love this hot tango tonight, it’s amazing.” Many simply posted flame emojis.
Some viewers even speculated that Robert’s dance skills could land him the coveted mirrorball trophy this season.
Fans were quick to declare Robert a frontrunner, with one writing, “He is going to win this!” and another asking, “So we all agree this is our mirrorball champ, right?”
One enthusiastic viewer added, “Everybody else sorry, but you need to pack up and go home,” while another exclaimed, “THOSE ARE MY MIRRORBALL CHAMPS.”
Robert also paid tribute to his late father, Steve Irwin, following his impressive Dancing With The Stars US debut.
Last week, he wowed audiences with a high-energy jive to Born to Be Wild, incorporating a subtle nod to his Crocodile Hunter dad.
Proud mum Terri shared a clip on Instagram of Robert speaking to Access Hollywood, reflecting on what Steve would have thought of his performance.
When asked by host Kit Hoover how his dad would feel, Robert smiled and said, “Mate, I think he’d be stoked,” adding that Steve would definitely be watching proudly from above.