‘Gladiator’ Star Steel Recounts Son’s Tragic Battle After Premature Birth
‘Risky’ Medical Procedure Contributed to Infant’s Death
TV personality **Zack George**, known for his role as Steel on the revived *Gladiators*, has shared the devastating loss of his son, **Leo**, who died shortly after being born prematurely at 23 weeks. **George** and his wife, **Samantha**, detailed the “risky” medical procedure that they believe contributed to their son’s passing.
A Difficult Fight for Survival
Born on March 26, baby **Leo** remained in neonatal intensive care until his death on April 7. Initially, **Leo** showed signs of strength, leading doctors to remove him from a ventilator. However, his condition deteriorated after a short period on CPAP support.
Doctors later discovered air pockets forming around **Leo’s** lungs. They suspected a tube used for his breathing support had created a perforation in his windpipe. “It’s no one’s fault, a baby that young is really fragile, it’s just a risk,” **Zack** explained to The Mirror. “That was really hard, because if it hadn’t happened, he would probably still be here.”
Remembering Their “Little Lion”
**Zack** and **Samantha** held a funeral for **Leo** in May, sharing poignant tributes to their son. **George** read a heart-wrenching speech at the service, describing **Leo** as “tiny and brave, with a heart that beat like thunder.”
“Thirteen days. That’s all we had. But in that time, you taught us more about love, and courage, than most ever will. Your body was small, but your spirit was big, fierce and unafraid. We called you Leo, our lion, not for how loud you roared, but for how hard you fought to stay. You knew our voices, you knew our touch, the warmth of our hearts pressed against yours.”
—Zack George, Father
The couple also revealed the extensive medical challenges their son faced during his short life, including three blood transfusions, a collapsed lung, brain bleeds, a hole in his heart, and the tracheal injury that led to the air pockets in his lungs.
Charity Initiative in Leo’s Memory
In honor of their son’s fight, **Zack George** has launched a charity challenge called “13 days fighting.” The initiative aims to raise awareness and support for families facing similar devastating circumstances. Organizations like The Lullaby Trust offer support for those affected by infant loss, with contact details available at 0808 802 6868 or support@lullabytrust.org.
The loss of a premature infant is a profound tragedy. In the UK, approximately 1 in 10 babies are born prematurely each year, with survival rates for those born extremely early, like Leo at 23 weeks, remaining a significant medical challenge (NCT, 2023).
