SYDNEY — Robert Irwin, son of the late conservationist Steve Irwin, has been crowned this year's winner of Dancing with the Stars, a decade after his older sister Bindi won the same title.

The popular US dancing competition sees stars paired with professional dancers to perform in front of a panel of judges, with the audience also voting on their favourite couple.

The 21-year-old was favored to win, with strong performances over the show's 11 weeks, including a tribute to his father and a surprise appearance from his sister Bindi.

With a legion of fans in the US, Irwin's finale had an Australian bent with one dance choreographed to a song by Australian rock band Jet.

During the three-hour finale on Tuesday evening, local time, Irwin and his dance partner Witney Carson also performed to songs by Avicii and Sydney-born Sam Sparro.

They then triumphed in the "instant dance challenge" – where Irwin and Carson were told the style and song minutes before taking to the stage.

Irwin, who competed in the final despite having a rib injury, beat fellow finalists including influencer Alix Earle and Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles.

This came despite three contestants — not including Irwin — earning a perfect score of 30 for their first dances. However, Irwin got a perfect score not long after.

He broke down in tears after his final performance, saying that said he wanted to make his father proud.

"I wish he could see it, I really wish he could be here," he said.

Steve Irwin was famous for his TV wildlife shows which regularly saw him handling crocodiles and led to him being dubbed the "Crocodile Hunter".

He was killed by a stingray during a diving expedition off the Australian coast in 2006, when Robert was just a baby.

Following his father's love for wildlife, Robert Irwin has long been a keen photographer and recently became an Earthshot ambassador. — BBC