Gladiators Star Steel Reveals Heartbreaking Loss of Premature Son Leo

Gladiators Star Steel Announces Tragic Loss of Premature Son

In a heartbreaking announcement, Zack George, better known as Steel on BBC’s hit show Gladiators, revealed that his newborn son Leo has passed away. The devastating news comes just days after sharing that his baby boy had been born extremely premature at only 23 weeks.

The 34-year-old fitness icon took to Instagram on Tuesday to share the emotional news with his followers. His powerful tribute to his son has resonated with fans and fellow celebrities alike, who have rallied around the family during this unimaginably difficult time.

A Father’s Emotional Tribute to His Son

In his deeply moving Instagram post, Zack wrote: “Your mummy brought you into this world and your daddy held you as you left. Leo…… you showed us what the true definition of strength is and we are so proud of you.”

The Gladiators star continued with words that captured both the brevity and profound impact of Leo’s life: “You brought so much positivity to the world with the short time you were with us and we felt that positivity in abundance, we thank you all so much for that.”

Perhaps most heartbreaking was Zack’s acknowledgment of their son’s own choice: “Although you were only with us for a short time, you brought us a lifetime of love. Thank you for letting us know that YOU had had enough of this fight. We will forever be grateful that we didn’t have to make that decision for you.”

His tribute concluded with the poignant words: “Leo our lion, we love you more than you will ever know. Rest easy our little boy.”

The Brief But Powerful Journey of Baby Leo

Just days before announcing Leo’s passing, Zack and his wife Samantha had shared that their son arrived unexpectedly early. On Saturday, they revealed that Leo was born on March 26, 2025, weighing just 1 pound 8 ounces at 23 weeks gestation.

In that initial announcement, the couple had expressed both concern and hope: “You never truly know how quickly your life can be turned upside down but one thing we do know is that you are one hell of a strong boy and you are already defying the odds.”

On Sunday, Samantha had shared a touching photo of Leo’s tiny hand resting on her finger, thanking fans for their support: “Thank you everyone for your kind words and premature baby stories. Please keep them coming… they are giving us so much hope for our precious Leo.”

Support From the Gladiators Family and Fans

The outpouring of support for Zack and Samantha has been immense, with fellow Gladiators stars leading the tributes. Joey Fishburn commented: “Can’t imagine your heartache, wishing you and your family nothing but love and peace throughout this time!”

Montell Douglas, who performs as Fire on the show, added: “RIP baby Leo. Thoughts and prayers are with both of you.” Earlier, when Leo was first born, she had encouraged the newborn with: “bubba Leo with the strongest genes I know! You got this baby boy❤️.”

The George Family’s Journey

The tragic news comes just months after joyful beginnings for the George family. In January, Zack announced that he and Samantha were expecting their second child, sharing an adorable post featuring their 23-month-old daughter, Ivy, holding up the ultrasound scan.

Zack and Samantha, who wed in September 2024, are both accomplished bodybuilders. Samantha frequently shares her fitness journey on social media, while Zack has been open about his own remarkable transformation story.

The Gladiators star has previously shared how he overcame an unhealthy lifestyle in his youth to become a fitness icon. After being overweight as a child, he developed a passion for exercise, particularly CrossFit, and now trains four hours daily, six days a week.

A Heartbreaking Reminder of Premature Birth Challenges

The George family’s tragic loss highlights the extreme challenges faced by babies born as early as 23 weeks. While medical advances continue to improve outcomes for premature infants, those born before 24 weeks still face significant hurdles.

In their brief time as parents to Leo, Zack and Samantha shared glimpses of both the fragility and remarkable strength shown by their tiny son. Their openness about this devastating experience has touched many families who have faced similar challenges.

As the Gladiators star wrote in his final tribute, though Leo’s time was brief, he brought “a lifetime of love” to his family. Our thoughts remain with Zack, Samantha, and their daughter Ivy during this incredibly difficult time.