Steve's mate tells all 'BINDI NEVER WANTED THIS!'

Honouring her father's legacy has led to some huge sacrifices

Bindi Irwin is the young face and assumed heiress apparent of Australia Zoo but in a bombshell new allegation, her late dad's friend alleges she never initially wanted to inherit Steve Irwin's legacy and empire.

In a recent interview, cameraman Justin Lyons, who worked with Steve for a decade until his death, described Australia Zoo as being "cult-like", with Steve's imagery looming everywhere, reminding him of the day in 2006 when he filmed the famous conservationist dying from a stingray attack.

Among his stunning revelations, he claims the now 24-year-old Bindi initially "didn't really want" to follow in her famous dad's footsteps.

"Bindi and I spent a lot of time together," Justin insists. "We'd go up to Far North Queensland and while they were doing whatever, Bindi and I would go off. She'd say to me, 'I don't really like bugs, but she was expected to do all this crazy stuff."