'No pressure' on Irwin's daughter

Bindi gave a moving speech at her father's memorial

Bindi Irwin, the daughter of Australian naturalist Steve Irwin, is not being pressured into the spotlight, according to the family's manager, John Stainton.

The eight-year-old is travelling to the US this week, ahead of the launch of her TV series Bindi, The Jungle Girl.

She will appear on several talk shows, perform with children's entertainers The Wiggles and attend a gala dinner with Russell Crowe and Naomi Watts.

But Mr Stainton said Irwin was able to cancel commitments at short notice.

"My criteria is if Bindi doesn't want to do it that day, if she wants to go to the zoo or the beach, then that's what we're doing," he told ABC radio in Australia.

But he admitted that the trip, which also coincides with the first screening of the documentary her father was working on when he died, could take its toll.

"You can't keep reliving it, reliving it, without it hurting."

Touching tribute

Steve Irwin died last year after being spiked in the chest by the barb of a stingray.

His daughter gave a moving speech at her father's memorial service.

"I don't want daddy's passion to ever end. I want to help endangered wildlife just like he did," she said.

"I have the best daddy in the whole world and I will miss him every day.

"When I see a crocodile, I will always think of him."

The 44-year-old was due to co-star in Bindi, The Jungle Girl and scenes he filmed before his death are expected to feature in the 26-part series for the American Discovery Channel.