Robert Irwin has received some tough love advice from a family friend about his close relationship with his mother Terri.

An insider told Daily Mail Australia, the 21-year-old TV presenter has been advised to set boundaries with his mum, 60, if he wants his future romantic relationships to succeed.

'There was an expectation that Robert was about to officially announce his relationship with Australia Zoo staff member Charlotte Briggs,' the source revealed. 

'But just days before flying to South Africa for I'm A Celebrity, that announcement went cold.'

Robert still resides with his mother at Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast, and the insider claims the situation is affecting his ability to establish a lasting relationship of his own.

They said Robert was given some very blunt advice - 'You are going to need to move out of the family home if you want to make your next relationship work.' 

While the Irwins’ tight-knit bond has been celebrated for years, friends close to Robert believe it’s time for him to assert his independence and focus on creating a life of his own.

'The Irwin clan live under the same roof... It's not healthy for Robert to live under the same roof as his entire family,' the insider added.

'Terri might want total control of his career but no 21-year-old boy should be relying on their mother's approval before these relationships can get going.'

Earlier this month, it was reported that Terri stopped at nothing to prevent her son new girlfriend from joining him in the jungle as he heads to South Africa to host I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! for a second year.

Robert is rumoured to be dating Charlotte Briggs, a former staff member of Australia Zoo, since November 2024.

Sources told Daily Mail Australia the television star is waiting for his mum to approve of his new 'squeeze' before debuting their relationship to the public. 

The 'momager' is said to have thrown a massive spanner in the works for Robert by ending his plans to have Charlotte join him in South Africa this month.

'The 'secret girlfriend' isn't a big secret amongst the staff at Australia Zoo, but is still not something the Irwins are ready to share with the world,' a source close to the Zoo tells Daily Mail Australia.

Meanwhile, an I'm A Celebrity crew member said Terri is confirmed to stay by her youngest child's side for the duration of filming in the jungle - 'something producers were hoping would be different for the 2025 series'.

It's not the first time Robert has been 'blocked' from taking a partner on a job - with his previous girlfriend Rorie Buckey being dumped last year just before they had planned to be both in South Africa during production in 2024.

'Putting the relationship on pause for the next four to five weeks could be a part of Terri's plan,' the source added.

'Could that kind of separation strain be what has been going on with Robert and his mystery woman?

'Terri wants Robert to focus on his career and she isn't ready to have him tied up in a family like Bindi.'

It marked the first time Robert was linked to someone else after his shock split from girlfriend Rorie in February 2024. 

Charlotte is well known in the world of cricket and was a member of the Queensland team the Sunshine Coast Scorchers between 2020 and 2021. 

Robert was most recently linked to Charlotte after they were seen out-and-about on a string of outings together.

Back in July, the pair were hit by rumours that they were dating after they were seen looking close while arriving in Sydney together.

They were joined by Robert's mother Terri as they jetted into the city ahead of Robert making an appearance on The Project.