In-demand young Aussie star Robert Irwin has scored a new high-profile television gig: Hosting this year’s TV Week Logie Awards.

Channel 7 announced on Wednesday that Irwin would take over the reins from former host Sam Pang, saying the 22-year-old wildlife warrior’s “infectious energy, natural charisma and warmth” had captivated audiences across the globe.

The news comes after he was recently signed by Disney to host a US Dancing with the Stars spin-off show featuring professional dancers, and just weeks after Network 10 revealed it would not be airing reality show I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! – which Irwin co-hosted with Julia Morris – in 2027.

Irwin said that hosting the 66^th TV Week Logie Awards on August 16 at The Star Sydney was one of the most exciting things he had been asked to do.

“Throughout my life, my goal has been to spread an important message not only through our work at Australia Zoo, but also on the screen,” he said.

“I grew up watching the Logies with my family, so this is certainly an honour.

“Australian television has given so much to so many people. To be part of the biggest night in Aussie TV is something I don’t take lightly. I cannot wait!”

Irwin was a nominated for a Gold Logie and the Bert Newton Award for Most Popular presenter in 2024 for his work on I’m a Celebrity.

 

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The young host’s on-air appeal was further boosted when he won the most recent season of the American edition of Dancing with the Stars with his professional partner Witney Carson

Rumours that Ten’s rival networks were keen to snap him up for other projects – including the Logies hosting role – have swirled in recent months.

“Robert Irwin is one of the most exciting and sought-after stars on the planet right now,” said Seven’s managing director, television and streaming, Angus Ross.

“He has captured the hearts of audiences from Australia to America and everywhere in between; there is simply no one better to lead Australia’s biggest night of television.”

Irwin – who is set to appear as a guest on Ten’s MasterChef ­on Wednesday night – will be the youngest-ever Logies host.

However, Peter Ford, showbiz editor at Seven’s Sunrise, pointed out that Steve Irwin’s son has many years of TV experience under his belt, including for the Animal Planet channel.

“Not everybody was seeing that, but that gave him enormous comfort in terms of being in front of a camera,” Ford said on Sunrise on Wednesday.

“Having said all that, this [the Logies role] is still a big challenge for anybody to take on. Certainly, a lot of people often refer to it as being a poisoned chalice because it can be a tough room to really work.

“But there’s such goodwill that is attached, I think, to Robert that I don’t think anybody is going to criticise him.”