'I still think he's going to walk through the door': Bindi Irwin looks back at late father Steve's tragic death... after performing to his favourite song on Dancing With The Stars

By Jason Chester For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 19:37 EST, 27 September 2015 | Updated: 02:22 EST, 28 September 2015

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She's winning high praise for her leader board topping performances on Dancing With The Stars - amongst them a mesmerising tango to late father Steve Irwin's favourite song.

But while she has successfully traded her standard khaki green attire for ballroom ready sparkles and sequins, Bindi Irwin is still moved to reflect on the famed conservationist and Australia Zoo owner's sudden death in 2006.

'It's something you can't really describe,' she told Woman's Day. 'I didn't really believe it. I still do sometimes think that he'll walk through the door like, "Surprise! Just kidding! Got you!"'

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Looking back: While she has successfully traded her standard khaki green attire for ballroom ready sparkles and sequins on Dancing With The Stars, Bindi Irwin is still moved to reflect on late father Steve Irwin's sudden death in 2006

The 17-year-old was eight when a stingray pierced Steve's heart while he was filming TV show Ocean's Deadliest in waters off the Queensland coast.

Bindi would later pay a moving tribute to her father - who was famed for his fearless handling of predatory crocodiles and lethal snakes - at a memorial service held in his honour.

'I went to my mum and said, "I want to stand up and thank everybody." I felt like it was my purpose to carry on.'

Get the latest news, pictures and videos on Bindi Irwin and Dancing with the Stars

Fond memories: Bindi admits she still thinks her father will walk through the door, nine years after he was killed when a stingray pierced his heart in waters off the coast of Queensland (pictured with Steve and mother Terri in 2002

Paired with professional dancer Derek Hough on Dancing With The Stars, the teenager referenced her father last week by performing to his favourite song - AC/DC classic You Shook Me All Night Long.

Wearing a black rock-chick-inspired gown, an emotional Bindi told host Tom Bergeron how her late father had loved the tune and how she remembered dancing to it with him at Australia Zoo.

On the verge of tears, she said 'I remember when I was really little, dancing to that song with dad. It means everything to me.'

Strong performance: Paired with professional dancer Derek Hough on Dancing With The Stars, the teenager referenced her father last week by performing to his favourite song - AC/DC classic You Shook Me All Night Long

A pre-recorded segment also showed Bindi talking about her connection to the tune, saying 'That's what my mom and dad especially, would listen to. I was so little and so happy.'

The song was a fitting choice for the Hometown Glory-themed shows,which saw the couples perform routines dedicated to the celebrity's hometowns.

Bindi secured the highest score of the night as she performed the brilliant dance.