Terri Irwin still mourning Steve

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

Speaking in an interview on the Nine Network, Terri tells 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 says.

"Every day he was my prince charming."

During the interview with Ray Martin to be aired tonight at 8.30pm she
relates how she was told by close family friend and manager John Stainton of
the diving accident and then death of the man known as the Crocodile Hunter.

"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."

Terri says she has found it hard to cope but considers herself lucky to have
received such support and thanked the public for their "thoughts and
prayers".

She says she's grateful for the support during the memorial service at the
zoo last week.

"I walked into the Crocoseum and I knew people would be missing Steve but
the feelings of love and support from Australians 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 (AEST).

A separate American ABC special will air in the US 15 hours later.

Barbara Walters, who interviewed Terri for an American special, said she
spoke of her continuing bond with her husband.

"You almost have the feeling that she is channelling him," Walters said.

"She feels he is there."

In the US interview, Terri tells how she is coping "one minute at a time -
sometimes an hour at a time with great faith, great determination".

The Irwin children, Bindi, 8, and Bob, 2, did not take part in either
interview.

Meanwhile, Bindi has become the youngest person ever to appear on the cover
of Australia's New Idea magazine in its 104-year history, and a survey in
the magazine showed 93 per cent of readers wanted Bindi to become the next
"Crocodile Huntress".

Bindi stole hearts last week with her eulogy at her father's public memorial
ceremony in which she said she would continue her daddy's work.

Mr Stainton said Steve had always known there would be a day where he would
become his daughter's co-star as her fame eclipsed his.

Bindi's television show, which is due to screen next year, will be completed
in the coming weeks.

Mr Stainton said Bindi's fame would "explode", especially in America, once
her show aired. "I just think there's a little volcano waiting inside her,"
he said.