Derek Hough has gone from Bindi Irwin’s ballroom dance partner to big brother! The “Dancing With the Stars” pro divulged on the red carpet Monday night after the week 3 installment that he’s become rather protective of the 17-year-old animal activist -- specifically when it comes to dating.

“You know, I’ve got four sisters, now I’ve got five sisters here … I’m a protective brother, what can I say?” Hough told Entertainment Tonight, adding that he and Irwin’s boyfriend, Chandler Powell, had a one-on-one on how to take care of Irwin after her strenuous Season 21 rehearsals during the hit ABC series.

“I give him, ‘All right, young man. You go home, you have her in bed by seven. Get the tea, get the ice -- ice on, ice off, 20 minutes.’ Yeah, it’s like that,” Hough said with a smirk.

Irwin couldn’t help but giggle as she agreed.

“He’s been doing that! He’s been doing that! He has a timer! Twenty minutes on, 20 minutes off,” she said, revealing that Powell has been following Hough’s instructions step-by-step.

The “DWTS” fan favorite acknowledged how fortunate she is to have someone in her life like Powell, who is so supportive of her and her goals.

“I think that love and support is just something we all need in life,” she noted. “We need those people to keep us going.” (Not to mention, to ice our injuries!)

While escorting his girlfriend down the red carpet Monday night in the couple's first public appearance together, Powell dished that he’d been on ankle duty for the past few days. “I don’t mind!” he told Us Weekly before revealing how surprised he was when his Aussie girlfriend took the ballroom floor.

“Bindi is crushing it,” he gushed. “ I loved seeing the whole show! I loved seeing everyone dance. I expected her to do really well, but she is exceeding my expectations! I am really proud of her."

Irwin and Hough earned a 32 out of 40 for their quickstep routine to the theme song of the iconic TV show “The Jeffersons.”

Fans can see Irwin and Hough take the ballroom floor when “Dancing With the Stars” airs Monday nights at 9 p.m. EDT.

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