Steve's mate tells all 'BINDI NEVER WANTED THIS!'

Honouring her father's legacy has led to some huge sacrifices

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Bindi Irwin is the young face and assumed heiress apparent of Australia Zoo but in a bombshell new allegation, her late dad's friend alleges she never initially wanted to inherit Steve Irwin's legacy and empire.

In a recent interview, cameraman Justin Lyons, who worked with Steve for a decade until his death, described Australia Zoo as being "cult-like", with Steve's imagery looming everywhere, reminding him of the day in 2006 when he filmed the famous conservationist dying from a stingray attack.

Among his stunning revelations, he claims the now 24-year-old Bindi initially "didn't really want" to follow in her famous dad's footsteps.

"Bindi and I spent a lot of time together," Justin insists. "We'd go up to Far North Queensland and while they were doing whatever, Bindi and I would go off. She'd say to me, 'I don't really like bugs, but she was expected to do all this crazy stuff."