Bob Irwin’s friend, Amanda French, has weighed in on the highly publicised feud which has erupted between the father of Steve Irwin and his family.
In an interview with Hit FM’s Stav, Abby & Matt on Tuesday, Amanda told the Brisbane radio show that some of Terri Irwin’s behaviour towards Bob, 82, had been ‘passive aggressive’.
Commenting on Bindi Irwin’s recent claims that Bob ‘returned gifts I’ve sent after he opened them’, Amanda – who co-authored Bob’s book, The Last Crocodile Hunter – branded some of the gifts ‘odd’.
Speaking out: Bob Irwin’s (left) friend, Amanda French (right), has weighed in on the highly publicised feud which has erupted between the father of Steve Irwin and his family. Pictured at the launch of his book in Sydney in October 2016
‘The gifts were returned because they were odd. They’re always from Terri Irwin, never from the kids. It doesn’t say, “From Terri, Bindi and Robert”,’ she said.
‘I’ve been there when he’s been sent an anniversary gift for example, which was a shower cap. Like, really strange thing to send a man…
‘And after a while of that, Bob and his wife, Judy, did return one of the gifts at some point, but never any correspondence from Bindi herself.’
Taking sides: In an interview with Hit FM’s Stav, Abby & Matt on Tuesday, Amanda told the Brisbane radio show that some of Terri Irwin’s (left with daughter Bindi) behaviour towards Bob, 82, had been ‘passive aggressive’
Speaking about Terri’s choice in gifts, Amanda added: ‘To me, it’s a passive aggressive thing to do. That’s my perspective, not Bob’s, but it’s strange.’
Amanda said that Bob hadn’t been in contact with Terri and Bindi, 22, since around 2007 or 2008.
She was asked what she thought of Terri, 56, having previously worked at Australia Zoo herself.
Bizarre: Commenting on Bindi Irwin’s recent claims that Bob ‘returned gifts I’ve sent after he opened them’, Amanda – who co-authored Bob’s book, The Last Crocodile Hunter – branded some of the gifts ‘odd’. Pictured at the launch of his book in Sydney in October 2016
Explosive: Bindi sensationally spoke out about her strained relationship with her estranged grandfather in a scathing Facebook comment on Sunday
Although Amanda refused to give a straight answer, she cryptically said: ‘A lot of people have left Australia Zoo with the same feeling…’
Bindi sensationally spoke out about her strained relationship with her estranged grandfather in a scathing Facebook comment on Sunday.
Sharing a sweet post to celebrate Father’s Day in the USA, Bindi said she was thankful for the ‘three most incredible fathers in her life’: her late father Steve, her husband Chandler Powell, and her father-in-law Chris.
Tribute: Sharing a sweet post to celebrate Father’s Day in the USA, Bindi said she was thankful for the ‘three most incredible fathers in her life’: her late father Steve, her husband Chandler Powell (left), and her father-in-law Chris
When a fan asked why she hadn’t included her grandfather, Bindi gave an uncharacteristically raw account of their relationship, claiming he’s ignored her since she was a ‘little girl’.
‘I really wish that my entire family could spend time with [my daughter] Grace. Unfortunately, my grandfather Bob has shown no interest in spending time with me or my family,’ she wrote.
She went on to claim that Bob had ‘returned gifts I’ve sent after he opened them’, and ignored any letters sent from her.
‘I really wish that my entire family could spend time with [my daughter] Grace. Unfortunately, my grandfather Bob has shown no interest in spending time with me or my family,’ wrote Bindi