Gladiators colleagues have led tributes to Steel’s son Leo who died after being born at 23 weeks.
Zack George, otherwise known on the BBC revival as Steel, told his Instagram following the sad news his son passed away on Tuesday days after he was born premature. Zack and wife Samantha decided to call their son Leo the lion because of his incredible fight to live.
Since the tragedy, friends have paid their respects to little Leo and offered Zack and Samantha their support. Strictly star Montell Douglas (Fire), writing: “RIP baby Leo. Thoughts and prayers are with you both @zackgeorge @samanthalouisegeorge_.” Ella-Mae Rayner, known as Comet, posted: “I cannot even begin to imagine what you must be going through. Sending you both all the love and strength in the world. We are all here for you.”
And Jodie Ounsley (Fury), wrote: “My heart genuinely breaks for you both, sending big hugs.” Matty Campbell, aka Bionic, posted: “Heartbreaking. we’re all here for you.”
Zack, from Leicester, originally posted: “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.
“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. Although you were only with us for a short time, you brought us a lifetime of love.”
This post was widely shared and, among the trail of other comments, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey (Nitro) said: “So sorry!! Forever here for you guy” and Alex Gray, known as Apollo, shared hearts and Jade Packer (Electro), offered her condolences to the couple, who married in September last year.
And JLS member JB Gill wrote: “Heartbreaking, what a little warrior, thoughts and prayers to you both and your family” while Love Island’s Adam Collard shared: “Heartbreaking to hear, sending you both love.”
Zack, 34, had been updating fans ever since Samantha went into labour last week, and gave birth to their premature son. The tot weighed just two pounds. In the post at the time, Zack had wrote: “Our Precious Boy Leo George [heart emoji]. You should still be tucked up inside mummy’s tummy but instead you entered the world on the 26th March 2025 at just 23 weeks weighing 1 pound 8 ounces. 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.”
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