Robert Irwin broke down in tears during a moving performance on Dancing With The Stars US.
The celebrity conservationist, 21, left viewers stunned during a touching Foxtrot with Witney Carson to Leona Lewis’ ballad Footprints in the Sand.
The heartfelt performance not only paid tribute to Robert’s late father Steve, as a projection of him appeared in the foreground, but also to his sister Bindi, 27, who performed the same song during her own DWTS stint in 2015.
As their dance came to an end, Bindi made a surprise appearance, and joined him – which saw Robert moved to tears.
Clips of a very young Robert with his father were projected onto the ballroom floor, leaving the Australian star overcome with emotion.
He collapsed to the floor and was embraced by Witney and Bindi as the crowd erupted in applause, earning him perfect scores across the board.
Robert Irwin broke down in tears during a moving performance on Dancing With The Stars US
As the episode begins, Sheila takes a break from preparing for Il Giardino’s open-mic night to fill in Li on Deacon’s homecoming. The doc is surprised to hear that Deacon is going to continue undergoing treatment with Taylor to become his best self. But “if seeing her is good for him, I’m all for it,” Sheila insists. She’s even hopeful that the shrink can “work her magic” on her stepchildren next.
Li admits that Sheila’s open-minded take on all this is impressive — especially after she so recently threatened to kill Taylor. Sheila admits she perhaps she may have overreacted to her fears that her husband would stray. “Taylor isn’t that kind of woman,” she says, “and she’s been nothing but good for Deacon.”
In Taylor’s office, the shrink holds a meeting with Deacon and his family to get them over the fact that he’s reunited with Sheila. Deke and Hope are palpably displeased and urge Taylor to tell their dad that there’s a woman out there for him that is everything his untrustworthy wife isn’t. Gee, like who? Hmm…
Eventually, Hope marvels at the unlikelihood that Taylor could possibly be OK with Deacon being with Sheila after all she’s done to the shrink and her family. “We are not trying to attack you,” Hope tells her dad. “This comes from a place of concern… Sometimes people don’t change” the way he has.
Following the meeting, Deacon marvels to Taylor that his kids really do love him. He used to think about how he screwed up in the past, he had such low self-esteem. But now he’s in the best place he’s been in his life, he says, and it’s all thanks to Taylor (whose hands he takes in his).
In the design office, Zende questions Carter about his relationship with Daphne. “I’m looking forward to getting to know her better,” the COO says. Next door in the main office, Steffy and Daphne discuss their need for a girls’ night out. Natch, Steffy also nudges her gal pal in Carter’s direction.
Daphne and Steffy seem to have forgotten their plot to have the Frenchwoman seduce Carter in hopes of getting him to undo the coup. Now she’s all about making him work to prove that he deserves her heart. When Carter and Zende interrupt, the former blabs Daphne’s secret that she has a great voice. Zende’s in for open-mic night. So is Carter.
As the episode nears its conclusion, Daphne, Carter and Zende head out to open-mic night. Steffy begs off but insists that her mom would love to go. When Deacon arrives at Il Giardino, Sheila asks how his session with the kids went. “I’m hoping Taylor put in a good word for me,” she says. Hold your breath, toots.
At Forrester, Steffy is surprised to hear from Hope that she’s just come from a family therapy session. “Taylor’s had a really positive influence on him,” Hope tells the shrink’s daughter.
To Deacon’s surprise, Taylor shows up at the restaurant to hear Daphne sing. Sheila acts like the shrink is her long-lost best friend. “I am so excited that Deacon and I are… you know,” she says, “and that’s all because of you.” Nah, the credit is Deacon’s, Taylor insists.
Making it awkward, Sheila blathers to Deacon, “I love you more than I’ve ever loved anyone else” — as he and Taylor gaze longingly at one another.