Steve Irwin’s Son Honors Dad with ‘Crocodile Hunter’-Insp…

Robert Irwin paid tribute to his dad, the late “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin, in his first routine on this season of Dancing with the Stars.

The 21-year-old started off his routine with partner Witney Carson McAllister dressed in his dad’s signature khaki outfit while perched on top of an old school Land Rover with the license plate “Out Back.”

Irwin scanned the crowd with a pair of binoculars before eyeing McAllister and jumping right into his jive routine, ditching the khaki shirt for a tropical top.

Irwin’s routine was a hit with the judges, earning a score of 15-20 and placing him tied at the top of the leaderboard with The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Whitney Leavitt and her dancing partner Mark Ballas.

In the crowd to support Robert was his sister, Bindi Irwin, who won season 21 of the show back in 2015. Robert’s mother, Terri Irwin, was also in attendance to cheer him on.

After the show, Robert took to Instagram to share photos and videos from his performance. He wrote, “BEST NIGHT EVER! Our first dance! I started my rehearsals without the slightest idea of how to dance and I am just so grateful to @witneycarson for being the most incredible teacher.”

He added, “This show means the world to me and I am pinching myself that I get to live out a childhood dream. And how special to have my family here to celebrate with me. Team IrWINit are here to bring passion and positivity into the ballroom! Week one done, onto the next!”

McAllister commented, “I’m the proudest teacher,” under Robert’s post and Terri added, “I am so proud,” on a post of Robert’s routine shared from the official Dancing with the Stars Instagram account.

Missing from the season 34 premiere was judge Carrie Ann Inaba who shared she was feeling ill just hours before the show started, she added, “I’m resting up and can’t wait to be back next week in good health.”