Melbourne, Apr 7 : Late Steve Irvin's father has revealed that the 'Crocodile Hunter' concealed a lot of pain behind his vivacious and bubbly personality.

In an interview to ABC TV, Bob Irvin said that Steve went through "a lot of pain and suffering" behind his public life.

"People don't realise just how much he gave of himself," News.com.au quoted Bob as saying.

"He was always very good in front of the media, and a lot of the pain and suffering didn't show through," he added.

He also said Steve wouldn't mind him splitting from Australia Zoo. It is believed that he was upset with the career of Steve Irwin's nine-year-old daughter Bindi.

"I honestly don't believe Steve minds where I am," Bob said.

"I think he'd be more than content as long as he knows that I'm continuing with the work that he'd want me to continue with.

"I don't think he'd care really where I did it, as long as it gets done. I would much rather catch crocodiles than sit here talking to the camera.

"I just feel that if I can live the rest of my life out doing what Steve would actually want me to do, and do that successfully, then I would be prepared to go and shake hands with him again," he added.

Bob Irwin and wife Judy now plan to continue their conservation work on a property near Kingaroy, north of Brisbane.

ANI