From the moment the second fans saw Robert Irwin take his first steps with Witney Carson on Dancing with the Stars, they fell hopelessly in love. The 22-year-old Aussie won the competition nearly 10 years to the day after his sister, Bindi Irwin, and pro Derek Hough. After the show wrapped in December 2025, Robert returned to Australia, where he’s kept very busy. But it looks like he just couldn’t stop his love for DWTS. In fact, the show loved him so much, he’s back for a brand new spinoff. That’s right, Robert Irwin will host Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro.
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“Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro” is a brand-new series
Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro will launch on ABC on July 13, 2026, featuring 12 up-and-coming dancers. They will all move in together and compete in a grueling competition to become the newest pro on DWTS.
Robert Irwin often gushes about his love for DTWS, and recently told People how much the show means to him.
“Being on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ was life-changing in that I can now reach more and more people with that messaging, but it also gave me so many epiphanies and helped me express parts of my life that I never really addressed before,” he said.
Robert Irwin is an extremely charismatic man, just like his dad, the late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin. Hosting Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro is right up his alley. Though Robert isn’t a pro, he knows just how hard the dancers on the show have to work day in and day out. We look forward to seeing this new series and how Robert will shine as the host.
This story’s featured image is by Eric McCandless/Disney via Getty Images
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