Robert Irwin has revealed an unusual phobia that has nothing to do with animals. The 22-year-old wildlife warrior appeared on a segment called Three Scoops with The Tonight Show’s Jimmy Fallon, where his admission took Fallon by surprise, prompting the host to call it “bizarre”.
Not Afraid of Animals, but Terrified of Broken Glass
“You know what’s weird, there’s literally not a single animal I’m afraid of because I’ve grown up with it, but I do have a phobia: broken glass,” Irwin said. “If I hear — *pauses* — I can’t even think about it, if I hear a glass break I’ll leave the venue, I’m out. When someone drops a glass, and they just go in and start picking it up, I’m like ‘Ugh, how do you do that?’”
After making gagging noises, he added: “I’ll jump on a crocodile, mate, I won’t pick up broken glass.”
Irwin and Fallon Strike a Deal
Irwin then asked the talk show host about his own fears. Fallon admitted he “was afraid of most of the things” Irwin does. “I wrestle the crocs, I’ll do the dancing, you deal with the glass, we’re fine,” Irwin said, and the pair shook on it.
Secret Foot Injury Revealed
In the same interview, Irwin revealed something he had not shared with the public before. “I broke my foot, no one knows this,” he said. “It wasn’t on the show; it was after the Dancing With The Stars (US) season ended. I was alone in my room, and I have a little fireplace, it’s made out of stone, and I’m sitting there going, ‘I wonder if I’ve still got it?’”
Irwin then began doing the jive around his house, going “full ham” when he “slammed” his foot on the fireplace in a “humiliating” mishap.
Upcoming Projects
Irwin won season 34 of the US version of the dancing show with his partner Witney Carson in November. He is now set to host a new show called The Next Pro, which sees 12 up-and-coming dancers compete in a tense audition process in hopes of being selected to feature in the next season of DWTS. It will premiere on ABC in the US on July 13, but the episodes will be available for streaming on Hulu the next day for Australians.
