A Queensland man has won the coveted title of Australia’s best Robert Irwin lookalike.
Ben Marshall, a married father from Caloundra, took out the crown and won $500 in cash for his striking resemblance to Robert, 22.
The contest was held in Robert’s hometown on Saturday, with 30 hopeful contestants battling it out on Kings Beach.
Ben, who showed off his rippling muscles in an unbuttoned khaki shirt, told the Today show that he’s frequently stopped by Robert’s fans, who mistake him for the real thing – something he has been experiencing ‘for years’.
‘At least once every week or two, someone comes up to me and says, “You look like Robert.” Some people ask, “Are you Robert?”‘ Ben said.
The Queenslander said that he has not been asked to sign any autographs yet, but hopes to after winning the competition.
A Queensland man has won the coveted title of Australia’s best Robert Irwin lookalike. Winner Ben Marshall (left) is a dead ringer for the real Robert (right)
The contest was held in Robert’s hometown on Saturday, with 30 hopeful contestants battling it out on Kings Beach. Pictured: An entrant in the contest
The competition was announced last week, with Visit Sunshine Coast chief executive Matt Stoeckel explaining that the aim was to celebrate Robert’s return to Australia after his winning run on Dancing with the Stars. Pictured: Contestants on Saturday
Ben launched into his best Robert impersonation with a fake snake around his neck.
‘This snake here, this is a beautiful creature, this one. She’s an absolute beauty mate!’ Ben drawled in a thick Aussie accent.
‘This thing will bite your head off, and I’ve just got her around my neck. I just do not care. Have a look at it!’ he joked.
Ben also showed off his dance moves to pay tribute to Robert’s efforts on Dancing with the Stars US.
‘I was up all night practising, so yeah, I’m glad I took out the win,’ he said.
The competition was announced last week, with Visit Sunshine Coast chief executive Matt Stoeckel explaining that the aim was to celebrate Robert’s return to Australia after his winning run on Dancing with the Stars.
‘To welcome Robert Irwin home after six months, we had a bit of fun,’ Stoeckel said.
He added: ‘If Bindi Irwin had been here, she would have done a double take.
Ben (pictured front), who showed off his rippling muscles in an unbuttoned khaki shirt, told the Today show that he’s frequently stopped by Robert’s fans, who mistake him for the real thing – something he has been experiencing ‘for years’
‘At least once every week or two, someone comes up to me and says, “You look like Robert.” Some people ask, “Are you Robert?”‘ Ben (left) said
The Queenslander said that he has not been asked to sign any autographs yet, but hopes to after winning the competition
‘You had to own the crikey with confidence, you had to have that Robert Irwin physique and really be able to entertain the crowd with a bit of dance moves and some croc wrestling.’
Robert himself was deeply amused by the contest, calling it ‘classic’ in a social media post.
The real Robert took to social media to describe the contest as ‘classic’.
It’s certainly been a big 12 months for Robert, after winning the US version of Dancing with the Stars and a new season of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! premiering next Sunday.
Robert still works at Australia Zoo, his family’s Queensland-based conservation park, and carries on his late father Steve’s conservation mission.
