A GLADIATORS star has revealed his baby boy was born prematurely at 23 weeks but is ‘tiny, fragile and fighting’.
Zack George, better known as Steel to viewers of the hit BBC show, took to Instagram on Saturday to reveal the news his wife Samantha had gone into premature labour.
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Sharing a picture of Samantha cradling a tiny baby in a blue knitted hat in hospital, Zack 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.”
He concluded his post with: “Tiny, fragile and fighting.”
Zack, 34, had first shared the news he was going to be a dad for a second time back in January.
The couple already share daughter Ivy and they announced the news by sharing a snap of their toddler holding the baby scan pictures.
Writing next to the cute picture, he said: “Ivy is very excited to have a new friend very soon!
“Little George number 2 in the making!”
Before finding TV fame, the CrossFit fanatic enjoyed an impressive career in fitness.
Talking about his role on Gladiators, Zack said last year: “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.”
Zack appeared in tonight’s semi-final of Gladiators, which was recorded last year.
It saw two of his fellow male Gladiators clash and have to be pulled apart.
And after the show aired, it was revealed one of the finalists had been forced to quit following an injury sustained in Powerball.
What is premature birth and what are its risks?
Premature birth is when a baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
About eight out of 100 babies will be born prematurely.
It’s possible for a baby to survive if born around 24 weeks of pregnancy onwards – 24 weeks is the legal limit for abortion.
Babies born this early need care in a hospital with specialist facilities for premature babies, called a neonatal unit.
The risks of having a premature baby include:
- Small size
- Low body temperature
- Breathing problems
- Feeding difficulties
- Cerebral palsy
- Developmental delay
- Vision problems
- Hearing problems
They may have health and development problems because they have not fully developed in the womb.
In some cases, pre-term labour is planned and induced because it’s safer for the baby to be born sooner rather than later.
Risk factors that have been identified for preterm birth include pregnancy with multiple babies, six months or less between pregnancies, a previous premature birth and problems with the placenta.
