Gladiators star Steel and his wife Samantha have welcomed a baby boy, 14 months after the death of their premature son Leo. The couple’s newborn, whose name has not been revealed, arrived just over a year after Leo died at 13 days old, born at 23 weeks.
Steel – real name Zack George, 35 – announced the birth on Instagram, writing: “You will heal us more than you will ever know. We love you so much… Our baby boy.”
“Gladiators star Steel and wife Samantha welcome baby boy 14 months after premature son Leo's death.”
The couple are also parents to daughter Ivy, three. George recently called being her father the “best job in the world”.
Friends and fans were quick to congratulate them. Kate Lawler said: “Congratulations to you both. You deserve so much happiness x.” Gladiator Nitro, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, wrote: “Massive congratulations! Beautiful!” Matty Campbell, known as Gladiator Bionic, posted: “Over the moon for you both.”
The couple had bravely shared Leo’s fight with followers last year. Born on March 26, 2025, Leo was initially placed on a ventilator, but after responding well he was taken off it and provided with CPAP. When he was retubed after six hours, it is believed accidental damage was done to his windpipe. He also suffered from brain bleeds, a hole in the heart, collapsing lungs and air pockets around his lungs.
George told the Mirror: “Around the tenth day they started getting a bit bigger. They came to the conclusion that when they tubed him, either the first or the second time, they created a hole in his windpipe. It’s no one’s fault, a baby that young is really fragile; it’s just a risk. That was really hard, because if it hadn’t happened, he would probably still be here. A 23-week-old baby has so much to do. Overnight, he got quite bad, that’s when we went in and he passed away.”
The couple decided against giving Leo CPR, having already witnessed him go through so much. George announced Leo’s death with a heartbreaking picture of him and Samantha holding their son.
Now, 14 months on, the arrival of their new son brings hope. “You will heal us more than you will ever know,” George wrote – a promise born from profound loss.