http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,20595100-2,00.html
BINDI Irwin's grandfather Bob has backed her controversial foray into showbusiness, predicting the eight-year-old will have a "really, really big career".
Amid criticisms too much pressure is being placed on the youngster to follow her father Steve Irwin's footsteps, Bob Irwin said Bindi was a "real professional" who enjoyed the spotlight.
He also backed his son's long-time friend and manager John Stainton, who has come under fire for saying Bindi would be more famous than her Crocodile Hunter father.
"John Stainton isn't only a friend of mine, he's the person that I would like to guide Bindi through the rest of her career," Mr Irwin told ABC TV's Australian Story.
"And I think she's going to have a really, really big career.
"John will work closely with Terri and I think with the two of them, it will be a perfect match."
Mr Irwin also revealed how he and Bindi still speak to the Crocodile Hunter, who was killed after being struck in the chest by a stingray's barb off the far north Queensland coast on September 4.
"... I've actually been with her and we've both spoken to Steve and she actually speaks to him like he's there helping her," he said.
Australian Story filmed on location this week as Bindi, accompanied by her mother Terri, resumed work on the Bindi the Jungle Girl program for the US Discovery Channel.
The program, titled What Lies Beyond, goes behind the scenes of the six weeks since Irwin's death, and includes behind the scenes footage captured during the Crocodile Hunter's memorial service at Australia Zoo.
Speaking for the first time since delivering a speech at the service, Bindi urged people not to be afraid of animals because they were "put on this earth to help the environment".
"Some people think that I would be afraid of them, but I'm never ever afraid of an animal," she said.
"I just get excited and some that are dangerous I just think oooh! What's going to happen and things like that."
Mr Stainton defended criticisms Bindi was being pushed into showbusiness against her will.
"I think they (the critics) don't understand that this little girl is very much enjoying what she's doing. She is in control," he said.
"And I think the sort of psychologist or psychiatrists or child counsellors or whatever that jumped on the bandwagon and said that it was harmful to her, don't understand the situation whatsoever."
Mr Stainton said Bindi would never be exposed to animals that could hurt her.
"We have to be always mindful of that 'cause things can backfire on us, like the baby Bob incident," he said.
Meanwhile, it has been revealed that Irwin had agreed to appear in a child safety DVD to help raise awareness to the plight of missing Sunshine Coast teenager Daniel Morcombe.
Thanks for the ping!
What a doll-baby Bindi is! She is so very much her daddy's little girl. Her mannerisms, her inflection, the excitement in her eyes is so alike Steve. My gosh, I am still so sick thinking that he is really gone. His life was such a testimony for a great marriage, a greatly involved and loving father and a man with a passion for something.
Terri is so obviously pained without him. A love like they shared; she will never be the same.
Fortunately, the crew and the zoo staff have all been extended family for them for a long time. Getting in front of the camera again imho is the best thing for Bindi. Keeping things as "normal" as possible for Terri and the children is what the experts would recommend, and like it or not, this *is* normal for Miss Bindi.
Thank you kindly for the ping.