Australian icon Robert Irwin will be returning to the US ballroom with the news that he’ll be hosting a new spinoff series, Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro. Robert won over a legion of international fans as he sashayed his way through Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) before being crowned champion alongside his partner Witney Carson.
The new series breaks the fourth wall down in the world of DWTS, following 12 up-and-coming dancers who move into a house together and compete for the chance to become the next professional dancer on the show. The professional dancers are the pros who partner with celebrities, guide them throughout the season, and perform alongside them in each episode.
With Robert as host, he’ll be joined by three-time Mirrorball champion Mark Ballas and his pro dancing mother, Shirley Ballas, who will serve as judges. They will be joined by a group of ever-changing judges throughout the season, including a lineup of returning pros who will serve as rotating mentors and guest judges.
The spin-off was announced at the Get Real House event in America on Wednesday, April 22, which Robert attended. “Crikey, this is going to be fun,” he said from the stage as the news was shared.
How to Watch Robert Irwin on Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro in Australia
While there’s no official word just yet on where Australians will be able to tune into Robert Irwin’s new show, it is airing on Hulu in America.
Hulu shows are often picked up by Disney+ in Australia, and DWTS US, aired on the streaming giant, so it looks promising that Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro will also be available on the platform.
Is there a trailer for Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro
There is! You can watch it below.
When does Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro air?
Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro premieres on Monday, July 13, 2026, on the American channel ABC and Hulu. The Australian premiere is yet to be confirmed, but stay tuned!
What other shows has Robert Irwin hosted?
Born to the late Steven Irwin, Robert Irwin has been thrust into the spotlight all of his life, thanks to his dad’s massive profile. When he was just nine years old, he hosted the wildlife series Wild But True and at age 14, he starred in Crikey! It’s the Irwins, which was released in 2018.
However, he got his first big break in hosting a mainstream Australian series when he was cast on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in 2024, alongside Julia Morris as Dr Chris Brown’s replacement.
In an interview with Chattr, Julia praised Robert’s work ethic, revealing that the 2026 season of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! was filmed almost immediately after DWTS US finished.
“He came directly from the dance floor to the jungle,” she told Chattr in an interview ahead of the premiere.
Julia explained that Robert won DWTS on November 25, and he flew to do a winner’s interview with his partner Witney Carson the next morning, then immediately left the television studio to come to South Africa.
“After winning, literally, he got on a plane. He and Witney and the gang went to do Good Morning America. And then from Good Morning America, he went straight out to the airport. He got on a plane and did that journey to Johannesburg. And then he swapped onto another plane to come up to where we live in our little bush town,” she said.
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