Robert Irwin trying to secure huge TV icon for new season of I’m A Celebrity

Robert Irwin will return next year with Julia Morris as co-host of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here.

And the 20-year-old conservationist has reportedly been busy luring big names to appear on the new season of the survival show.

According to New ideaRobert’s top choice is Melissa Joan Hart, who rose to fame in the hit ’90s TV series Sabrina the Teenage Witch.

A Channel 10 insider has revealed Robert tried to recruit Hart, 48, for the 2024 reality hit, but the cult star had a scheduling conflict.

“Maybe this time he can work his magic. Melissa is a good retro name,” a source told the publication.

“Ten will open their checkbooks for one or two big names, but that will blow the budget.”

Other stars who could be cast in 2025 include Blue Wiggle Anthony Field, Kath and Kim star Magda Szubanski and Rove McManus.

Australian Idol star Rob Mills and Kween Kong from RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under are also in the mix as possible cast members alongside former Home and Away actor Samuel Johnson.

Eurovision singer Sheldon Riley, Neighbors favorites Ryan Maloney and Nicky Whelan and the late Shane Warne’s ex-wife Simone Callahan could also be heading into the jungle, the insider claims.

The source also revealed that Robert has an impressive list of big names he can call “connections”, including American TV star Jimmy Fallon, pop star Billie Eilish and Robert Downy Jr.

It comes after Robert also recently secured a TV gig.

After co-hosting I’m A Celebrity with Julia this year, the conservationist appeared on Have You Been Paying Attention? as guest host last month, replacing regular host Tom Gleisner.

And many viewers were impressed by the Wildlife Warrior’s performance.

Fans of the comedy panel show took to social media site X to chat about Robert’s hosting abilities.

“I thought Robert Irwin absolutely ruined it tonight as guest host. Much better than Grant Denyer last week. Irwin has charm and treats the panelists well,” one viewer wrote.

Another commented: ‘How good was Robert Irwin? He hit it out of the park like a champ as they poured full throttle on him.”

“Banger panel and guest host Robert Irwin rocks it all,” someone else said.

“Great guest hosting performance, Robert. A ripper of an EP, guys,” said another X-user.

Another comment on social media noted Robert’s ability to control the chaos of the comedians on the panel.

“Good job, you handled the mob well,” the X-user wrote.

In the meantime, Robert and co-host Julia Morris are already preparing for the new series I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here.

A Ten insider told Daily Mail Australia: ‘Stylists and make-up artists have been booked and the pair have been rehearsing their banter which will take center stage – as Network Ten has a few surprises in their line-up for next year.

“The double Gold Logie nomination for these two was really what got the duo locked and loaded.”

According to the insider, Julia was unsure for a long time whether the show would return, but she is happy to tell her friends that the performance is back on her agenda in 2025.

However, there were some concerns about securing Robert back for the series, with the Queensland native requesting two months off from Australia Zoo to star in the celebrity series again.

“There was a lot of back and forth to get the contract right and there are a few requests from movie stars that prove this isn’t just another TV host,” the insider added.

But the deal was the right decision for the youngest Irwin to return to South Africa for another wild series with Julia.

“The opportunity to get Julia back with Robert was something the network couldn’t afford as a one-off,” the source said.

“Network Ten has no one else to be the face of the network and these two know how to sell a whole bunch of shows to media buyers and advertisers. That’s why the pair have signed on to launch the network’s plans in 2025. .’