CROCODILE HUNTER - STEVE IRWIN'S WIFE TERRI ON AUSTRALIAN TV... 'I think he's going to come home'

This is part of a interview that Terri did for an Australian television programme, please continue to pray for her and the family.

Terri Irwin says she cannot shake the idea that her husband will return home from one of his adventures.

In an interview with the Nine Network, Mrs Irwin told of the bond she had with Steve, who died from a stingray barb to the chest while diving off the far-north Queensland coast on September 4.

"There never has been before and never will be again another Steve Irwin," she said. "Every day he was my prince charming."

During the interview with Ray Martin, to be aired tonight, she related how she was told of the accident by the close family friend and manager, John Stainton.

"He said there's been a diving accident with Steve - [I thought] 'Don't say it, don't say it, don't say it' - and he said it. He said those three words. 'And he died'," she said. "I'm still at the stage where I think he's going to come home. And it didn't really happen."

Mrs Irwin said she found it hard to cope, but considered herself lucky for the public's support. "I love Australia, and I'm a lucky woman," she said. "Just thank you so much. Your thoughts and prayers are really felt and they are going to help me get through. And I will."

She said she was also grateful for the response to last week's memorial service and "the feelings of love and support … was just overwhelming". "He (Steve) would have said 'Crikey, mate, I can't believe this'."

Millions of Irwin fans across Australia and New Zealand are expected to tune into the hour-long special at 8.30pm. A separate American ABC special will air in the US 15 hours later.

Barbara Walters, who interviewed Mrs Irwin for the US special, said she spoke of her continuing bond with her husband. In the US interview Mrs Irwin told how she was coping "one minute at a time … with great faith, great determination".

The Irwin children, Bindi, 8, and Bob, 2, did not take part in either interview. Bindi has become the youngest person to feature on the cover of the magazine New Idea in its 104-year history, and a survey in the magazine showed 93 per cent of readers wanted her to become the next "Crocodile Huntress".

Bindi moved many last week with her eulogy at her father's memorial in which she said she would continue his work.

Be encouraged.
GBYAY