Channel 10 ‘not happy’ Robert Irwin is taking his ‘helicopter’ mum Terri as his date to the Logies – after mother-son duo copped backlash for being ‘joined at the hip’

Robert Irwin is the ‘big favourite’ to win the Gold Logie at the 64th annual TV Week Logie Awards on August 18 this year.

And he will invite one very special guest to share in this monumental moment.

Sources tell Ny Breaking Australia the famed conservationist, 20, will be joined by his mother and Irwin family matriarch, Terri, despite recent backlash from fans who believe the pair are ‘joined at the hip’.

Producers of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, which Robert co-hosts with Julia Morris, are said to be concerned that having his mother, 59, on his arm could ‘come as a huge blow to his core fans’.

“The son of the late Steve Irwin is perhaps Australia’s most talked about ‘bachelor’ in the TV industry and everyone knows he wouldn’t have a hard time landing a date, so his decision seems a little odd,” the insider said.

‘He told I’m A Celebrity producers that he plans to share the evening’s festivities with his mother, who is his biggest supporter.’

They continued: ‘However, the producers are confident that his decision will be a huge blow to his loyal fans.

‘Mother and son travel everywhere together and since his split from Lorie Buckey, they seem closer than ever.

“It’s a strange dynamic for a 20-year-old boy to be so attached to his mother and many feel it’s time for Robert to be released from her care,” the insider added.

The question of who Robert would pick to sit on his arm at this year’s Logies was widely speculated among industry insiders, as most attendees are not allowed to bring guests.

‘It’s that full on the evening of the awards ceremony. There is simply no more room,” the source said.

‘Only those nominated for the Gold Logie are guaranteed that they can bring a family member or friend. Normally the nominee would bring his or her partner.

“Those conversations are usually discussed internally, with the unspoken rule that you need “network approval” for the person you bring with you.”

However, it seems Robert plans to give that coveted guest seat to his mother, who also accompanied him to South Africa and was on set when he filmed I’m A Celebrity for Network Ten this year.

In April, a producer appeared for I’m A Celebrity expressed his concern about Robert and his ever-present mother.

An anonymous producer exclusively admitted to Ny Breaking Australia at the time that Terri’s daily presence on set was “a bit creepy.” He said: “It’s a bit of a ‘take-your-mum-to-school-camp’ vibe.”

Terri, who has been responsible for the showbiz careers of Robert and his older sister Bindi since the death of their father Steve Irwin in 2006, apparently kept a close eye on what Robert did while she was working on the programme.

“The two have a great relationship and Terri couldn’t be nicer, but there aren’t many situations where employees bring their moms to work just to make sure everything is fair,” the insider said.

Comparing Terri to the Kardashians’ famed “momager” Kris Jenner, the producer claimed Robert’s contract even included a section that allowed him to bring his family on set.

“The deal was done when Robert signed on as presenter late last year. He wanted his family to come with him,” they claimed, adding: “Maybe it’s just for this series, but maybe Terri will always be in the wings. Who knows.”

Robert previously confirmed that the entire Irwin clan would be joining him in South Africa The Daily Telegraph in January: ‘Everyone, including my niece Grace, comes over, so the whole family is there.’

While Terri was reportedly “in her element” watching Robert win over audiences on the show, the producer had doubts about the zookeeper’s protectiveness – especially when it came to her son’s love life.

Robert split from girlfriend Rorie Buckey earlier this year after almost two years of dating, with reports claiming Terri’s views on the relationship may have contributed to the breakup.

“There have been rumors on set that Robert is withholding information about his love life from his mother, which is pretty normal for most 20-year-old guys,” the source said, adding that “fissures will continue to form” if Terri continues to interfere in his love life.

The following month, however, Terri’s helicopter parenting tactics began to raise questions among Robert’s fans when the couple posed together in several photos they shared on Instagram during their overseas travels in May.

In two of the photos, Terri and her son are seen beaming for the camera, prompting some critics to complain that the two are often seen together.

‘Are Robert and his mother joined at the hip? She’s in every photo you see of him,” one person wrote in the comments, while another added: “He’s 20 now!”

Still, there was a lot of support for their close relationship. One person replied: ‘He’s a lucky young man to have her.’

Another wrote: ‘People are wondering why Robert has his mother in so many photos. Remember that every day is precious. Life is fragile. The Irwins, like millions of other families, have experienced loss on a monumental scale.

“Steve was larger than life. It’s nice that they spend so much time together. Don’t be so critical.’

Ny Breaking Australia has reached out to Robert and Terri for comment.