Friends deny Irwin family rift

FRIENDS of Terri Irwin have accused magazine New Idea of inventing hurtful stories about her family simply to maintain its celebrity-focus agenda.

Both manager John Stainton and Australia Zoo director Wes Mannion yesterday refused to comment directly on the magazine's reports this week about a bitter family feud between Terri and her father-in-law Bob Irwin. They both said it was not their role to do so.

But Mr Stainton said: "Where do they get this stuff from? It's silly, but if you comment on it, it just gives it more fuel.

"One minute they're saying it's me having an affair with Terri and the next it's Wes having an affair with Terri. They just make it up."

Mr Mannion said he had only just returned from a US trip and Tuesday was his first day back at the Irwin's zoo and he had not even caught up with Terri.

New Idea claimed that rumours of a rift between Bob and Terri surfaced several weeks ago after a conflict over the direction of the zoo and its growing focus on commercialisation and Bindi's career. The article said Terri had banned Bob from the zoo.

Bob, who started the zoo with his late wife Lyn Irwin, before passing it on to son and Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, has always preferred to keep a low profile.

Rumours were also circulating among residents at Blackbutt this week that Bob was preparing to sell his wildlife habitat property near the South Burnett township.

The Irwin camp's strident attack on the accuracy of the magazine stories is the latest in a string of complaints from celebrities about popular magazines.

In the past week TV personality Rove McManus and tennis player Lleyton Hewitt – frequent subjects of reports – have criticised the accuracy of reporting on their affairs.