Terri & Rusty in love

It’s official! Terri finally spills on her relationship with Russell

She might have kept quiet about it for years – and even joked about it not being true – but Terri Irwin has finally confirmed it’s “love” for her and Hollywood heavyweight Russell Crowe.

“I am in love with him, I have to admit it,” she gushed, with a cheeky glint in her eye, during a TV interview last week. “I am desperately and totally in love.”

Terri, 54, and her late husband Steve’s friend Rusty have been the subject of romance rumours for almost two years. The actor, who is a close friend of the family, regularly contributes financially to Terri’s Australia Zoo. Tongues are wagging that Terri finally chose to go public about her feelings as a warning to other women – in particular 23-year-old Aussie actress Sophia Forrest, who continues to hint she’s dating her Water Diviner co-star Russell, 54.

Sophia has been spotted at several events with the Oscar winner. However, when journalists recently questioned whether they were an item, she coyly rushed back to her publicist and refused to answer.

It’s this behaviour that prompted Terri’s out-of-character revelation that she’s besotted with her long-time friend.

“Terri has read all about this and would be keen to stake her claim on Russ,” reveals a source close to the wildlife warrior. “She might seem a placid, easygoing woman, but she’s fiery and definitely has a jealous streak. That’s what Russell really loves about her.”

The Aussie conservationist and the Gladiator great have long hinted that their friendship is more than purely platonic, often sharing and liking each other’s tweets.

Russell is also close to the Irwin clan, with Terri and Steve’s 20-year-old daughter Bindi and 15-year-old son Robert said to get along famously with the actor, who was responsible for helping their dad get a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

“You’ve been there since the beginning and will always feel like family,” Terri wrote to Rusty on Instagram from the LA ceremony earlier this year.

The actor has been a long-time friend of the Irwin clan. “I do really, really think the world of him,” she says.

Terri wants actress Sophia to know Rusty belongs to her!