BBC Gladiators star Zack George, known as Steel on the hit show has revealed his baby boy was born prematurely at 23 weeks but is "tiny, fragile and fighting". The super fit star took to Instagram on Saturday (March 5) to reveal his wife Samantha had gone into premature labour. Sharing a picture of the new mum cradling a tiny baby in a blue knitted hat in hospital he penned a moving tribute to his newborn.
"Our Precious Boy Leo George," he wrote followed by a 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. Tiny, fragile and fighting," he concluded his emotional post.
Zack, 34, and Samantha already share daughter Ivy, and the imposing athlete first shared the news he was going to be a dad for a second time back in January.
The couple announced the news by sharing a sweet snap of their toddler holding the baby scan pictures.
"Ivy is very excited to have a new friend very soon! Little George number 2 in the making!" he wrote next to the image.
Prior to joining the BBC show, hosted by father and son team Bradley and Barney Walsh the CrossFit fanatic enjoyed an impressive career in fitness.
Talking about his role on Gladiators last year Zack said : "I was inspired by the Gladiators as a child, but never imagined I'd be physically fit enough to be considered a 'superhuman'!
"I hope a new generation of fans will look up to me as their new strong, unbreakable hero, Steel."
Although Zack appeared on Saturday nights (March 5) semi-final of Gladiators, he hadn't abandoned his wife and child as the show was recorded last year.
After the show aired, it was revealed one of the finalists had been forced to quit following an injury sustained in Powerball.
For support and information regarding premature birth, you can contact Tommy's advice line at 0800 0147 800 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm) or email midwife@tommys.org.
