Bindi Irwin Faces More Family Drama: Steve Irwin’s Best Friend Breaks Silence

Bindi Irwin’s family has become a hot topic online ever since her grandfather Bob refused to congratulate her on her engagement to Chandler Powell in a recent interview. And now another round of family drama has hit the Aussie star and her family.

Apparently, the rumored falling-out between Bindi’s family and John Stainton, the best friend of the late Steve Irwin, has resurfaced. For years, there have been speculations that there was animosity between the TV and film producer and the conservationist family because of how Stainton decided to stop working on projects with them in 2009, two years after Steve passed away.

Stainton was not only Steve’s best mate, he was also the man responsible for catapulting “The Crocodile Hunter” to worldwide fame. He was the producer of Steve’s shows and he even helped Bindi star on her own show called “Bindi the Jungle Girl” after his friend’s demise.

While the rumors of a feud with the Irwins have begun catching a lot of attention on the internet, Stainton decided to nip the problem in the bud by breaking his silence and once and for all address the gossip involving him and his late friend’s family.

In an interview with Daily Mail, Stainton admitted that he has not returned to Australia Zoo ever since he ended his projects with the Irwins a decade ago. He then clarified that back then he decided to move on and do other things, but there was clearly no argument that took place between him and them.

“… I decided it was time to do other things,” he said. “As the family were going to do their own thing, I was doing my thing. We were just on different paths.” He then assured fans of the Irwin family that there really was “no animosity” between them when he chose to follow a different direction.

Stainton also slammed the incessant rumors about his relationship with Bindi’s family. He then went on to express his joy over Bindi’s upcoming wedding and the latter’s brother Robert’s work as a young conservationist.

“I mean, people are good at rumours and gossip and all that stuff and I'm not interested,” he said. “I'm so happy for Bindi and her marriage and also Robert, I think he's doing a great job. … I wish them continued success and Bindi a very happy new life.”

Bindi and Chandler are set to tie the knot next year at Australia Zoo. They got engaged on the “DWTS” Season 21 winner’s 21st birthday on July 24. Last month, they made headlines after the bride-to-be’s grandfather Bob refused to congratulate them on their relationship milestone.

Bob has since issued another statement, clarifying that he had made an “honest mistake” in his previous interview and that he has already reached out to the couple and sent them his well-wishes ahead of their nuptials. However, he remains estranged from Bindi’s family. In 2015, he publicly confirmed that they were no longer on speaking terms.