Robert Irwin has revealed the surreal and "weird" experience of coming face-to-face with his own doppelgänger in a remarkable meeting at Australia Zoo. The encounter unfolded after Queensland father Ben Marshall secured victory in a dedicated "Robert Irwin lookalike contest" over the weekend, earning himself an invitation to the famed conservation park.
A Mirror Image Meeting
The I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! host posted a video clip capturing the moment he greeted Ben, who bears an uncanny resemblance to the young conservationist. "It's kind of uncanny, holy moly," a visibly surprised Robert exclaimed as he embraced the winner, who triumphed over thirty other entrants to claim a $500 prize.
"This is actually quite weird, man," Robert added with a laugh, observing Ben standing opposite him. The likeness was heightened by Ben's identical attire, mirroring Robert's signature "uniform" of a khaki shirt, shorts, and sturdy work boots. "Look at this there’s two of us now about time!" Robert joyfully declared to his followers.
Testing the Lookalike's Mettle
Eager to see how authentic "Robert Irwin" Ben truly was, the Wildlife Warrior then shared images of the pair handling a substantial Burmese python. Ben appeared entirely unfazed as Robert draped the large reptile over his shoulders, demonstrating a commendable steadiness.
"Seeing double," Robert captioned the Instagram post, warmly adding, "thanks for stopping by, Ben." The online reaction was swift and humorous, with one fan joking, "Now we know who gets to be your stunt double when there is inevitably a movie made about your life." Another quipped, "He can be your stand-in at the shows now," while a third simply remarked, "This is wild."
A Frequent Case of Mistaken Identity
Following his contest win, Ben Marshall appeared on the Today show, where he disclosed that being mistaken for Robert Irwin is a regular occurrence he has endured "for years." He revealed that at least once every week or two, members of the public approach him, often stating, "You look like Robert," or directly asking, "Are you Robert?"
Seizing the moment, Ben launched into a spirited impersonation of Robert, complete with a faux snake around his neck and a thick Australian accent. "This snake here, this is a beautiful creature, this one. She's an absolute beauty mate!" he drawled. "This thing will bite your head off, and I've just got her around my neck. I just do not care. Have a look at it!" he jested.
A Tribute Through Dance
In a nod to Robert's recent success, Ben also showcased some dance moves to honour the conservationist's winning run on Dancing with the Stars US. "I was up all night practising, so yeah, I'm glad I took out the win," Ben stated, highlighting his dedication to the impersonation contest.
The unique competition was announced earlier this month by Visit Sunshine Coast chief executive Matt Stoeckel. The initiative aimed to celebrate Robert's return to Australia following his triumphant stint on the American dance show. Robert himself found the concept highly amusing, describing it as "classic" in a social media post.
A Landmark Year for the Wildlife Warrior
This peculiar meeting caps off a significant twelve-month period for Robert Irwin. His achievements include clinching the US version of Dancing with the Stars and embarking on a new season of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!
Despite his rising celebrity profile, Robert remains dedicated to his work at Australia Zoo, the Queensland-based conservation park founded by his family. He continues to passionately uphold the conservation mission championed by his late father, the legendary Steve Irwin, ensuring his legacy thrives through both education and direct animal care.
