Australia is preparing to say a final farewell to "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin, as his family put the final touches to a public memorial billed as a celebration of his life.
More than 5,000 mourners, led by Prime Minister John Howard, were due to gather at Irwin’s family zoo here for the tribute to the ebullient television conservationist who was killed in a freak stingray attack on September 4.
Up to 300 million more fans were expected to tune into the ceremony to be broadcast on live television around the world, in an indication of the popularity of one of Australia’s most famous sons, Irwin’s manager said.
But one seat in the "Crocoseum" arena, where the 44-year-old Irwin once performed death-defying stunts with large reptiles, will remain empty during the service featuring tributes from loved ones and dignitaries.
It’s poignantly reserved for Irwin himself.
"There will be one seat alongside of the family for Steve because he loved the Crocoseum, he built it," said John Stainton, Irwin’s longtime friend and manager, and producer of the "Crocodile Hunter" television show that made the tousle-haired Aussie world-famous.
"And his Australia Zoo cap that he always wore watching all the shows with his daughter will be on the seat," Stainton told reporters as he revealed a few select details of the memorial set to begin at 9:00 am (2300 GMT Tuesday).
It was however uncertain whether Irwin’s American widow Terri, his eight-year-old daughter Bindi or his father Bob would be strong enough to speak at the much-heralded service as had initially been initially planned.
"Everyone has said they could do something, but I think on the day when it sort of starts and rolls out the family may have a problem with it because there are emotions there that they haven’t seen for a while," Stainton said.
The event will be broadcast live on television in Australia and around the world and comes more than two weeks after Irwin’s freak death while filming a new documentary on the world’s deadliest sea creatures.
Stainton was Tuesday putting finishing touches to a video tribute to the man he worked with for nearly two decades that will include film clips and "funny moments" from Irwin’s television career.
"It is sad and I think anybody that sees it is going to find it (hard)," said Stainton, who was out with Irwin when he was stabbed in the chest by a stingray’s tail barb, snorkelling on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
"I’ve tried to lift it and have highlights and funny moments in it, but it’s really sad when you see him."
Irwin’s sudden death sparked an extraordinary national outpouring of grief in his home country, where not everyone was proud of the larger-than-life TV star.
While he was put to rest at his Australia Zoo at a private ceremony on September 9, the clamour for a public memorial service was so great that Irwin’s shattered family organised Wednesday’s event.
Around 3,000 tickets reserved for the public were snapped up within minutes of going on offer last week, and thousands more fans will watch the service on large screens set up in five venues across northeastern Queensland state.
Flags on Sydney’s famed Harbour Bridge were lowered to half-mast Tuesday in a sombre bow to the iconic Irwin whose family refused a state funeral saying he was "just an ordinary bloke".
Celebrities including Oscar-winning Aussie actor Russell Crowe were also expected to deliver pre-recorded eulogies to Irwin, while musician John Williamson was to perform the khaki-clad wildlife daredevil’s favourite song.
Stainton said the popular outpouring of sadness was a testament to man who was the same in private as in public.
"Behind the scenes … he was an incredible human being," Stainton said.
