Terri Irwin has confirmed that she and Hollywood heavyweight Russell Crowe are definitely not dating.
While rumours have made the rounds about the two for a while, Irwin finally broke her silence in an interview with Access Hollywood over the weekend.
Irwin said the actor was simply a “dear friend” and admitted she hasn’t dated anyone in the decade since her late husband Steve’s death.
The two have been repeatedly targeted by Australian magazines over the rumoured romance.
“He is very lucky to be embroiled in all of these great rumours,” Irwin deadpanned. “In all honesty, he and Steve became friends many years ago, and after Steve passed, you find out who your true friends are. And Russell has been very loyal as a great friend.”
Irwin also went on to explain how Crowe helped protect the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve in Queensland. “He talked about the situation publicly and stood up and helped us and is a great guy.”
“But absolutely just a dear friend. Nothing going on,” she said.
When quizzed on why she hasn’t dated anyone since her husband passed awat in 2006, the 49-year-old told Access Hollywood “I feel a connection still with Steve.”
Less than a week ago, Irwin’s firstborn Bindi spoke made a comment about the alleged relationship between her mother and Crowe. “There’s lots of crazy rumours,” Bindi said on E!’s Daily Pop Thursday. “You know we do love Russell, but mum and Russell aren’t actually in love!”
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My dad is still very much my mum’s soul mate. And I think that no matter what, Mum always says that they’ll always be married,” Bindi, 18, continued.
Bindi also mirrored her mother’s thoughts by admitting Crowe, 53, is a close family friend.
“Russell is a wonderful wildlife warrior. He was a dear friend of dad’s — now a dear friend of ours,” she said. “He feels like family to us, but mum and Russell? Just friends. For sure.”