There was barely a dry eye in the house this week when Robert Irwin took to the stage for an emotional routine on Dancing With The Stars US.
While Robert, 21, and dance partner Witney Carson, 31, have set pulses racing with some steamy routines over the past few weeks, Tuesday night’s turn well and truly got the waterworks flowing.
The theme of the evening was Dedications, and Robert and Witney chose an emotional dance to the Phil Collins track You’ll Be In My Heart, which he dedicated to his mum, Terri, 61.
Before taking to the stage with Witney, Robert was already overcome with emotion, speaking about his mother to camera.
‘She’s an absolute hero to me, because I was two when I lost dad [wildlife warrior Steve Irwin],’ Robert said, struggling to contain his emotion.
‘As I got older, [I] started to realise just how hard it would have been for her to be there for us, and all the while continue dad’s legacy that her and dad built together.’
There was barely a dry eye in the house this week when Robert Irwin took to the stage for an emotional routine on Dancing With The Stars US
The theme of the evening was Dedications, and Robert and Witney chose an emotional dance to the Phil Collins track You’ll Be In My Heart, which he dedicated to his mum, Terri, 61
Robert added: ‘I’ve never been able to capture the feeling of gratitude I feel for her.’ ‘At every milestone, when I just wish that my dad was there, she was there, and that was enough.’
The routine went off without a hitch before Robert surprised everyone with a cameo from Terri in the final moments of the routine.
As they concluded their dance, Robert broke down in tears as he lovingly hugged Terri in front of an adoring crowd.
Terri, overcome with emotion herself, also fought back tears following the performance.
‘I love him so much, and I’m so blessed to be his mum,’ she said, to which Robert replied: ‘This dance is for my mum, and for all the mums who don’t get the recognition they deserve. If you can, call your mum and tell her you love her.’
The routine also received resounding praise from the judges, earning a total score of 35 out of 40.
Judge Bruno Tonioli praised the number, saying it was a ‘true expression of love’.
‘[Steve] is looking at you, kid, and he’s smiling,’ Bruno said.
The routine went off without a hitch before Robert surprised everyone with a cameo from Terri in the final moments of the routine
As they concluded their dance, Robert was overcome, breaking down in tears as he lovingly hugged Terri in front of an adoring crowd
Terri was also overcome with emotion, also fighting tears after the stellar performance.
‘You gave us all your heart and soul. All I can say is this was the true expression of everlasting love.’
Carrie Ann Inaba agreed, telling Terri: ‘I’ve never had kids, but Terri, I have to say, if I could have had kids, I would like him to be like Robert.’
Derek Hough, who partnered Robert’s sister Bindi during her winning 2015 DWTS tilt, also struggled to hold back the tears.
‘The love I have for your family. Thank you. I just have so much love for you guys,’ he said.
‘Man, I’m so proud of you. I really am. You’ve become such an amazing man and the world needs the Irwin family.’
Sister Bindi also joined Robert and Terri on stage for an emotional family hug.
It was a similar reaction on social media, with fans swooning over the emotionally charged performance.
‘I started crying before they even started. Damn you Mr Irwin!’ one viewer remarked.
Another offered: ‘From someone who lost their dad at a young age & unexpectedly as well, I literally sobbed. I’m still sobbing. All I saw was my own tears.’
‘I love him so much, and I’m so blessed to be his mum,’ she said, to which Robert replied: ‘This dance is for my mum, and for all the mums who don’t get the recognition they deserve. If you can, call your mum and tell her you love her’
Sister Bindi also joined Robert and Terri onstage for an emotional family hug
The routine received resounding praise from judges with a total score of 35 out of 40, and it was a similar story on social media
‘From someone who lost their dad at a young age & unexpectedly as well, I literally sobbed. I’m still sobbing. all I seen was my own tears,’ one fan offered
A third asked: ‘Why do I still cry 10+ years on for a family who I have never met in person?’
Summing up the sentiment of many, another viewer added they were unable to control their emotions watching the routine.
‘First time watching this, I didn’t notice the switch to his mum, and I was surprised that I didn’t cry, but then I watched it a second time and as soon as I realised the switch I could not control the tears lol.’
It wasn’t all praise however, with some fans criticising Terri’s cameo.
‘Ok till Terri came,’ one viewer wrote on Instagram. ‘can’t she let him do anything by himself?’
Prior to the performance, Robert was also full of praise for Terri during a chat with Entertainment Tonight.
‘If there is one person in my life who has truly shaped who I am, it’s my mum,’ he said.
‘My mum has kept the whole family together through thick and thin, through all the ups and downs. She’s just this constant, stable and strong individual.’
Robert continued: ‘But the thing that I love about mum is that she’s so strong, but also vulnerable, and funny – she’s just everything I’d want to be in a person.’