RUSSELL & DICKIE'S FIGHT OR TERRI!

THE WILDLIFE WARRIOR IS CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF TWO STARS

Terri Irwin, the American-born wife of deceased Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, has endeared herself to the Australian public. But there are two men who have taken an extra special shine to the wildlife warrior: long-time pal Russell Crowe and TV presenter Richard ‘Dickie’ Wilkins.

Intriguingly, the two key men in Terri’s life came together publicly when Russell, 56, was recently interviewed by Dickie, 66, while promoting his latest movie, Unhinged.

A pointed question from the veteran celebrity reporter regarding the Hollywood actor’s personal life had viewers sitting up and taking notice – with the notoriously private Russell hesitant to divulge details about his family or his personal relationships.

The elephant in the room during their exchange was, of course, his close bond with Terri, 56.

In the years since Steve’s tragic death, both Russell and Dickie have played an important role in the Irwin family’s lives.

Terri told a local publication earlier this year that Russell was “the very first person” to contact her to offer his condolences after Steve’s passing in 2006 and revealed he has since “stepped up so much” for her family.

“Russell … is such a good person … a very good friend to our family, and I actually really do love him because he loved Steve and they were such good friends,” Terri told The Courier-Mail.