Robert Irwin, the 22-year-old wildlife presenter and host of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, has ignited a fresh wave of speculation about his love life after being spotted making secretive phone calls on set.
Private Calls Raise Eyebrows
Production insiders for the hit ITV show have revealed that Irwin has been requesting more private time to make personal calls, a move that has set tongues wagging among the crew and his co-stars. According to sources speaking to the Daily Mail, the calls were far from brief check-ins and noticeably altered his demeanour when he returned to filming.
'It wasn't just a quick check-in,' a source close to production claimed. 'People noticed. And when he came back to set, there was a definite vibe shift.' The behaviour has led many on set to believe the young conservationist could be quietly seeing someone away from the cameras.
A History of Speculation
This is not the first time Robert has been at the centre of girlfriend rumours. The current whispers are believed to be the second or even third wave of such speculation. The rumours gained significant traction late last month when he was photographed with 19-year-old American actress Xochitl Gomez just moments before his triumphant win on Dancing With the Stars.
The pair were seen backstage, where Gomez gifted Irwin a large bouquet and shared an affectionate hug. Their connection was first highlighted weeks earlier when they performed an intimate Jive together for the show's 20th-anniversary special, with viewers quick to comment on their apparent on-screen chemistry.
Christmas Plans Hold The Key
All eyes are now on Irwin's upcoming Christmas plans, which insiders suggest could be the biggest clue yet. Filming in the South African jungle is scheduled to wrap on December 23, after which the celebrities will return to Australia.
'If Robert heads to the US, that will definitely fuel the rumours,' the source claimed. 'Some people believe he has a young lady over there.' However, a decision to return home to Australia for the short break would point towards family being his priority, potentially dampening the romance theories. There is also talk the entire Irwin family may remain in South Africa over the holiday period.
Robert and co-host Julia Morris are due back for pickups and reshoots in the final week of December and early January to complete the season. For now, Robert is keeping quiet, but as the source notes, 'Whatever he does next will be analysed. That's just the territory when you're Australia's golden boy.' Representatives for Robert Irwin have been approached for comment.
