TV and wildlife personality Robert Irwin has claimed the crown of Australia’s most popular broadcast personality.
For the second consecutive year, Robert Irwin, the charismatic TV and wildlife personality, has been named Australia’s most popular broadcast personality. This accolade comes as Irwin leads the 2025 Australian Talent Index’s Top Talent Report, compiled by Talent Corp. He narrowly edged out long-time TV favorite Andy Lee, who surpassed his comedy partner Hamish Blake for the first time, with the duo completing the top three positions.
Following closely behind in fourth place is actor Rebecca Gibney, the highest-ranked female on the list, ahead of TV vet and presenter Dr. Chris Brown and comedian Glenn Robbins. Robert Irwin, son of the legendary wildlife icon Steve Irwin, has been steadily climbing the ranks of popularity since winning the 2013 Logie for Most Popular New Male Talent for his role in “Steve Irwin’s Wildlife Warriors.”
Voted as the most popular broadcast personality by both men and women in 2025, Irwin’s appeal continues to grow. His hosting duties on “I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here!” alongside his numerous conservation efforts, a high-profile Bonds advertising campaign, and recent appearances on the US version of “Dancing with the Stars” have further solidified his standing.
“I’m incredibly honored to be recognized like this, it’s truly humbling,” Irwin said. “At the end of the day, it’s all about using every opportunity to share my passion for wildlife and conservation. If that message is reaching people that it ordinarily wouldn’t, then I feel like I’m doing my job.”
Broader Media Landscape Reflected
The report from Talent Corp highlights more than just television talent, encompassing a wide array of media personalities, including comedians, radio hosts, sports stars, actors, and journalists. Amanda Keller emerged as radio’s most-loved voice, followed by Carrie Bickmore and Dave Hughes, all of whom have also made their mark on television.
“I’m beyond thrilled! I’ve always said that doing breakfast radio feels like talking to friends every morning – sometimes oversharing with friends, if I’m honest,” Keller remarked. “To know people are still listening, laughing, and connecting means the world. It’s such a privilege to do what I love every day – even if it does mean keeping Jonesy in line!”
According to Talent Corp Managing Director Mark Noakes, the rankings measure “a personality’s appeal, that goes far beyond social media likes and engagement.” He added, “Our 2025 Talent Index confirms that audiences respond strongly to personalities who combine authenticity with reach. Robert Irwin topping the list again demonstrates the commercial power of a celebrity whose appeal is both broad and trusted.”
Notable Rankings and Insights
Other notable mentions in the report include shock jock Kyle Sandilands, who was named Australia’s most controversial broadcaster, while TV presenter Karl Stefanovic was recognized as the country’s most popular personality in the breakfast time slot. Comedian Sam Pang was ranked as the most adored comedian, and Aaron Chen was celebrated as the nation’s most entertaining star. In sports broadcasting, AFL premiership-winning coach-turned-pundit Leigh Matthews holds the title of Australia’s most respected presenter, while Curtis Stone topped the list of beloved celebrity chefs.
By the Numbers: The Australian Talent Index is calculated by subtracting the proportion of people who disliked a personality from those who liked or loved them, giving each a score ranging from -100 (universally disliked) through to +100 (universally liked).
Top 20 Overall
- 40 – Robert Irwin
- 34 – Andy Lee
- 32 – Hamish Blake
- 32 – Rebecca Gibney
- 31 – Dr Chris Brown
- 31 – Glenn Robbins
- 29 – Manu Feildel
- 27 – Marcia Hines
- 27 – Todd Woodbridge
- 26 – Poh Ling Yeow
- 24 – Shaun Micallef
- 24 – Kitty Flanagan
- 24 – Johanna Griggs
- 23 – Shelley Craft
- 22 – Peter Overton
- 21 – Adam Hills
- 20 – Aly Langdon
- 20 – Catriona Rowntree
- 20 – Julie Goodwin
- 20 – Lynne McGranger
Top 15 Radio
- 21 – Amanda Keller
- 18 – Carrie Bickmore
- 18 – David Hughes
- 16 – Mick Molloy
- 14 – Ryan Fitzgerald
- 14 – Tommy Little
- 12 – Fifi Box
- 12 – Chrissie Swan
- 10 – Darryl Brohman
- 9 – Denis Walter
- 9 – Mark Geyer
- 8 – Lucy Zelic
- 8 – Emma Chow
- 7 – Ben Fordham
- 7 – Russell Howcroft
Top 15 TV
- 40 – Robert Irwin
- 34 – Andy Lee
- 33 – Hamish Blake
- 32 – Glenn Robbins
- 31 – Todd Woodbridge
- 27 – Poh Ling Yeow
- 26 – Shaun Micallef
- 24 – Kitty Flanagan
- 24 – Shelley Craft
- 23 – Peter Overton
- 22 – Adam Hills
- 21 – Ally Langdon
- 20 – Catriona Rowntree
- 20 – Sophie Monk
- 19 – Tara Brown
The announcement comes as the Australian media landscape continues to evolve, with audiences increasingly valuing authenticity and reach. As the industry shifts, the rankings provide a snapshot of who resonates most with the public, reflecting broader trends in media consumption and celebrity influence.
