Terri Irwin has had a secret private session with the world's most famous psychic medium. So desperate to communicate with her late husband Steve Irwin from beyond the grave, Terri brought in John Edward in a bid to contact his spirit.

The heartbroken widow organised to fly the host of the TV shows Crossing Over and Cross Country in from New York in the hope that she could receive messages from her late hubby Steve, the Croc Hunter.

But she banned her children Bindi, nine, and four-year-old Robert from the seance because she was concerned that they may be frightened if they saw their dad 'crossing over'.

Terri, a deeply spiritual person, believes the souls of loved ones continue to be a presence in the lives of family and friends long after death has taken their body. She has such belief in John's powers that the family's Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast hosted a mass reading for several thousand people, who each paid $90 a ticket.

Terri is convinced John can speak to people who have crossed over and she's not afraid to hear what her dearly departed Wildlife Warrior has to say.

'If John says a message has come through from Steve, I won't say: "Don't tell me, go away. I don't want to hear it."'

Aussie icon Steve died in September 2006 when he was pierced through the heart by a stingray's barb off the Great Barrier Reef while filming.

But Terri feels Steve is still with her, and she'll be reunited with him one day. She admits to having 'great faith' he's giving her vital advice from the hereafter.

'I know Steve's gone, but in some way he's still here,' the 43-year-old says. 'I feel him, I sense him. And I think that's very nice and soothing.'

Terri and Steve became close friends with John when he visited Australia Zoo five years ago. It was here the fast-talking New Yorker discovered he could talk to animals in the afterlife.

'He's a fair dinkum bloke. It's been a real privilege to know him,' Terri says. 'He loves Australia and he's been such a supporter of our family and a good friend since we lost Steve.'

Terri has been stoic since she was widowed, and ever watchful of how her kids are coping

'I think Bindi's experienced the ebb and flow of grief. Robert had a harder time initially. He wasn't sleeping. He was tearful, wanting his daddy. Now he talks openly about Steve. "I wish Daddy wasn't in heaven," he says.'

But for all the attention she's poured into her children, the pain hasn't eased for Terri.

'John doesn't have all the answers, but he gives beautiful glimpses that loved ones we've lost are doing well,' Terri says.

Insiders say she reached out to John because she felt alone as she faced significant events.

It was Bob's fourth birthday on December 1, and then came the customary family celebrations of Christmas and New Year. On February 22, Steve would have turned 46.

'She wanted to know whether Steve was doing well without her and the kids, and whether he was caring for the crocs in heaven,' the source says.

John claims during his sessions he receives images and clues from the other side, which he relays to loved ones. Some doubt his abilities, but Terri's seen him in action and says he's the real deal.

'I don't know how anyone can say a man has made lucky guesses thousands of times for 20 years,' she says. 'You can't experience John's talent without erasing your scepticism.'

Terri still 'talks' to Steve when she needs help, but she admits he doesn't reply to her verbally.

'It's become Terri's mission to take over Steve's role as a hardcore animal conservationist,' the source says. 'She hopes he's looking down at her going: "Good on ya, mate!"'

Last Christmas they retreated to Terri's hometown of Oregon.

'I wanted to disappear, make everything go away and pretend it didn't happen,' she reveals.

But this year, they spent it with Steve's sister and her family.

'It'll be good for the kids to be with their cousins,' says Terri adding Steve used to 'disappear into the bush' with her and the kids at Christmas. 'But it won't be the same kind of Christmas we had when Steve was here. I think that's a good thing.'