Gladiators star Steel reveals his wife has given birth to a baby boy 14 months after their premature son’s tragic death
GLADIATORS star Steel and his wife Samantha have welcomed a baby boy just over a year on from the tragic death of their son.
The couple’s second- born, Leo, died 14 months ago after being bornprematurelye at 23 weeks.
Steel — real name Zack George — said the arrival of their newborn will help heal them following the loss of Leo, who lived for just 13 days.
Writing on Instagram this evening, the 35-year-old said: “You will heal us more than you will ever know.
“We love you so much…Our baby boy.”
Friends and fans were over the moon for the pair.
Kate Lawler said: “Congratulations to you both. You deserve so much happiness x.”
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, aka Gladiator Nitro, wrote: “Massive congratulations! Beautiful!”
Matty Campbell, better known as Bionic, posted: “Over the moon for you both.”
Zack and Samantha are also parents to Ivy, three.
The couple bravely shared late son Leo’s fight with followers last year.
He was initially placed on a ventilator, but after responding well he was taken off it and provided with CPAP, a non-invasive way of keeping airways open.
However, when he was retubed after six hours, it is believed accidental damage was done to his windpipe.
As well as suffering from brain bleeds, a hole in the heart and collapsing lungs, air pockets began to form around his lungs.
Zack 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.
Zack announced Leo’s tragic death with a heartbreaking picture of he and Samantha holding him.