By India McCarty
ABC is eyeing Robert Irwin to host upcoming DANCING WITH THE STARS spin-off, DANCING WITH THE STARS: THE NEXT PRO.
“DANCING WITH THE STARS: THE NEXT PRO will feature up-and-coming professional dancers who will live in a house together and compete in a grueling audition process,” Variety reported of the first DWTS spin-off. “The winner will land a coveted spot as a pro dancer on the next season of DANCING WITH THE STARS.”
Nothing has been confirmed yet, but Deadline revealed Irwin, the Season 34 winner, “is in talks to host the new series.”
Related: How Robert Irwin Carries on Father Steve Irwin’s Legacy
Robert Irwin may soon be waltzing into a new role. https://t.co/X95mcPUYIC pic.twitter.com/YPBJ9OJYEm
— E! News (@enews) February 12, 2026
Three-time DWTS winner Mark Ballas is reportedly in talks to serve as a judge, alongside his mother Shirley, a professional ballroom dancer and longtime judge on BBC One’s STRICTLY COME DANCING. The third judge’s slot is expected to be filled with a rotating judge each week.
While Irwin hasn’t been confirmed as host yet, it’s no surprise DWTS would want the conservationist to lend his star power to the spin-off. In addition to winning his season, Irwin became a fan-favorite contestant, earning fans with his sense of humor and passion for wildlife.
“It still feels so weird hearing you say that [I won DWTS],” he told The Hollywood Reporter in 2025. “The vibe is just absolute gratitude, 100 percent. The fact that not only did I get to live out that dream that I’ve had for so long, but also getting to represent what’s so important to me.”
Irwin continued, “You know, at the end of the day, I’m not a dancer. I’m a zookeeper, I’m an advocate for the environment, first and foremost. Through everything I’ve experienced growing up at Australia Zoo, our animal sanctuary and our nonprofit Wildlife Warriors, my whole life has been around this legacy that I continue, and I never thought I’d be able to bring that to a new audience on a dancing show, but I’ve been able to do that.”
He also expressed interest in continuing to appear on DWTS, saying, “I also want to stay within this DANCING WITH THE STARS family. I mean, that poor crew, I’m going to be part of the furniture now. Like, they’re not getting rid of me. Next season, I’m like, I’m in, just tell me, I’ll do it all over again. Like, put me in, coach. I’m here. Let’s go.”
Irwin’s fans are hopeful he’ll officially take on hosting duties for the spin-off! DANCING WITH THE STARS: THE NEXT PRO will likely air this summer on ABC and Hulu.
Read Next: Fans Still Love DANCING WITH THE STARS, Even After 34 Seasons
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