She’s been dubbed the “wonder from Down Under” after her debut on the US hit show Dancing With The Stars, and Bindi Irwin wowed audiences with a jive to none other than Elton John’s Crocodile Rock.
In a tribute to her late father, the 17-year-old performed the jive with her dancing partner, Derek Hough, ripping off the Irwin’s trademark khakis to reveal a shimmering green number.
Topping scoreboards for the night in a tie with The Backstreet Boys’ Nick Carter, Bindi said she was dancing for her “hero” in a segment before her performance.
“My mum always said that anytime my dad would watch me dance around the zoo, he would cry,” she said.
“I think that the real reason I’m doing this is to make him proud, and everyone back at home in Australia proud.”
After the show Bindi posted a heartfelt message on Twitter saying she is “grateful beyond words for tonight” thanking in particular her “life coach and dance partner”.
The 17-year-old lost her father, Steve Irwin, at the tender age of eight after he was killed by a stingray.
She has held on to his values and work in wildlife conservation at Australia Zoo.
