Rumours last week that Network Ten had axed reality show I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! have sparked a reported bidding war for Robert Irwin.

Irwin has co-hosted I’m a Celebrity alongside comedian Julia Morris since 2024.

Ten has denied claims in multiple outlets that the show has been dropped, but not before other networks reportedly expressed their interest in taking Irwin into their stable.

According to News Corp, the Seven Network was eyeing Irwin for “several major entertainment projects, including a hosting role at the 2026 TV Week Logie awards”.

A television insider was quoted as saying that Irwin “appeals to multiple demographics and has become incredibly valuable commercially”.

New Idea quoted a TV insider (maybe the same one) as saying Irwin was at the centre of a network bidding war and that “Seven sees Robert as [its] future face”.

“This isn’t just one job, it’s a long-term play,” they said.

“Robert brings credibility, energy and a massive fanbase. Every network wants him but Seven may have just won”.

Irwin’s on-air attraction has also been recognised in the United States, where he won the 34th season of the American edition of Dancing with the Stars .

He has since been signed to host Disney’s upcoming spin-off program Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro.

Robert Irwin and Witney Carson perform in Dancing with the Stars. Photo: Disney

The son of the late Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, has also helmed multiple advertising campaigns.

While Ten stresses I’m a Celebrity has not been axed, its future at the network is far from certain.

“Decisions regarding the 2027 program schedule, including I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! will be made in the coming weeks,” a Ten spokesperson said.

If the show is indeed dropped, it has been speculated that both Seven and the Nine network could be willing to take on I’m a Celebrity as a vehicle for Irwin and to fill a demographic hole in their lineups.

I’m A Celebrity is not an inexpensive exercise. As well as the $100,000 in prize money on offer, the celebrities involved receive substantial salaries to appear on the show.

Add to that the production costs of filming in remote locations – the last season was filmed in South Africa – and the costs mount for a network actively looking to curb costs.

This year, Ten opted to pre-record the series rather than air a live version. While reducing costs, that idea wasn’t well received by viewers.

After a strong opening episode of 925,000 viewers nationally, ratings fell for subsequent instalments due to a lack of audience interaction in evictions and challenges.

The show’s season finale attracted 571,000 viewers, down from 651,000 the previous year.

The Australian version of I’m A Celebrity – which is based on the British reality series of the same name – has been on air since 2015.

The show was hosted by Morris and Bondi Vet Chris Brown from 2015 until 2023, when Brown left Ten to join Seven.