Robert Irwin fights back tears as he looks at realistic waxwork of his father

A touching moment

Steve Irwin was a legend in the conservation and zookeeping world, but tragically died in 2006 aged just 44 after being pierced in the heart by a stingray barb while filming in the Great Barrier Reef.

His children were only young when he died, Robert being just two-years-old and Bindi Irwin just eight.

Now 21, Robert and his sister Bindi, 26, have gone on to continue his parents' work, taking over his role at the Australian Zoo they ran.

Robert was himself becoming immortalised in waxwork as he took the record as the youngest Australian celebrity to be featured in Madame Tussauds Sydney, according to Sunrise.

Video footage from 28 November of Robert seeing his dad's wax statue showed him getting emotional in its presence.

He said in the clip, shared by News.com.au: "That is amazing. It’s the first time in a long time that he’s not just a picture."

Robert wiped his eyes and he shook his head while taking a deep breath, before he walked away from the crowd of cameras.

He also got the chance to see his own waxwork model next to his father's.

He told Sunrise: "This is one of the most surreal moments of my entire life. This is just incredible.

"I just keep looking at every little bit going, ‘It’s me! It is me!’ I don’t know if the world is ready for two of me."

He added: "It was the first time I’d ever gotten to see my dad’s wax figure. I’d seen pictures of it, but I’d never seen it in real life.

"I was overcome with emotion. And I didn’t think that was gonna happen, but I was actually quite emotional seeing it.

"Dad, for the last 17 years of my life, has been pictures and video, and to actually see him kind of just standing there, it was a lot. It was actually a lot to take in."

Robert finished with some poignant words.

He said: “But you know what? My life’s about continuing his legacy, so the fact that I get to be there with him now means a lot. I’m truly so grateful."

Heartwarming stuff.