Steve Irwin's best friend, and the man who brought him to fame, spoke to Daily Mail Australia about the rumours that he had had a feud with the Irwin family.
TV producer John Stainton helped bring the international phenomenon the Crocodile Hunter to screens as well as being a close friend to the family.
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![Steve Irwin and his family. Photo / Instagram](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/WFKBFZQXZVIL66G23IFWOZ4V5A.jpg?auth=76b56e4f7d60d8fccebc3b37bf9d2f579316005ea72c4c7a9342c505d17365a0&width=16&height=12&quality=70&smart=true)
Stainton was by Irwin's side when a stingray took his best friend's life in 2006 but grew distant from the Irwins from 2009 and has not returned to Australia Zoo since.