ABC - BINDI IRWIN TO CONTINUE CAREER IN TELEVISION

BINDI IRWIN TO CONTINUE CAREER IN TELEVISION

LATEST: CROCODILE HUNTER STEVE IRWIN's eight-year-old daughter BINDI will continue her father's legacy by taking over where his career left off. The animal lover is currently shooting BINDI, THE JUNGLE GIRL, a 26-part wildlife documentary show, that is set to debut in January 2007. Steve Irwin was killed by a stingray barb off the coast of Queensland, Australia in September (06) while filming a segment for his daughter's new show. Bindi gave her first interview since her father's death to Australia's ABC network saying, "I'm trying to get across the message that don't be afraid of animals, they're just put on this earth to help the environment and everything like that." Her late father will appear with her in scenes filmed before his death. Steve's manager JOHN STAINTON explains, "We'll never refer to the fact that Steve is no longer with us. The way it works is that Steve plays co-star to Bindi. "It's just the little reactions that she gives to her Dad, who's, you know, doing sort of silly stuff." Responding to critics who say Bindi is too young to be in the spotlight so soon after her father's death, Stainton says, "I think they don't understand that this little girl is very much enjoying what she's doing. "She is in control."