Gladiator star Steel was flooded by support from fans as he took to Instagram to share his graтιтude for the show on Saturday evening. 

As another series of the BBC show came to a close, Steel, whose real name is Zack George, took to his Gladiator Instagram profile as he he thanked the team following the ‘amazing’ season. 

The post comes amid the heartbreaking news that his baby boy tragically died after being born prematurely at 23 weeks.

He penned: ‘I’m so grateful to have been part of another incredible season of Gladiators. Huge respect to all the contenders who stepped up! 

‘You really brought everything to the arena, and it’s been amazing to watch.

He added: ‘Big thanks to my fellow Glads and everyone who makes this show what it is. It’s been a brilliant series, and I’ve loved inspiring a future generation of Gladiators’.

Gladiators star Steel was flooded with support as he shared his graтιтude for the BBC show after the heartbreaking news his baby boy died after being born prematurely at 23 weeks

The BBC star shared on Wednesday that his son had sadly pᴀssed away after Samantha went into premature labour last month

His post comes after Steel shared on Wednesday that his son had sadly pᴀssed away after Samantha went into premature labour last month. 

And fans rushed to send the star their supportive messages in the comments as they penned: ‘You are the strongest Gladiator in more ways than one. 

‘Thank you for being amazing and for giving us the best entertainment. My star sign is Leo, and I will dedicate all the cheers I give watching tonight to your lovely Leo. Sending you lots of strength, hugs and thank yous’.

Others wrote: ‘ I will miss your lovely smile on a Saturday night ❤️ sending you and family strength during this very tough time heartbreaking’;

‘From one angel parent to another I’m sending you all the love and strength in the world to you and your amazing partner.’;

‘Sending all our love to you mate. You’re an icon’; ‘It was always good to see you on the telly sending love and hugs to you and your family at this tough time xxxxxxxx’;

‘Thank you for entertainment over the last few weeks on Gladiators and sorry for your recent personal tragedy.’; ‘stay strong xx’.

Gym owner Amanda Wah and gymnastics coach Joe Fishburn were crowned the winners of Gladiators 2025 as they triumphed over their female and male contenders to win the final of the compeтιтion.

As another series of the BBC show came to a close, Steel, whose real name is Zack George, took to his Instagram as he he thanked the team following the ‘amazing’ season

Fans rushed to send the star their supportive messages in the comments as they penned: ‘You are the strongest Gladiator in more ways than one

Saturday’s final was filmed prior to Steel’s tragic personal news after he confessed he ‘wished he could have done more’ for his late son Leo in a heartbreaking new post earlier this week 

Saturday’s final was filmed prior to Steel’s tragic personal news after he confessed he ‘wished he could have done more’ for his late son Leo in a heartbreaking new post earlier this week.  

And the star shared an emotional new clip of himself and his wife Samantha on the beach with their daughter Ivy, making footprints together in the sand.

In a heart-wrenching caption, Steel shared one of his most ‘special moments’ with his son Leo came when he and his wife saw his heart rate and stats improve when they held him, saying he knew their son ‘felt their presence’.

Posting the moving video with his wife and daughter, Zack wrote: ‘Three sets of footprints being made in the sand and one in the sky.

‘One of my most special moments with Leo is also one that makes me so sad. When we spoke to him and held him тιԍнт with our hands, we would instantly see his stats improve and heart rate relax. 

‘We would watch the monitor and see it improving by the second. 

‘Even tho he was so young he felt our presence and knew his mummy and daddy. Sorry I couldn’t do any more baby boy.’

Steel posted a heart-wrenching video on Wednesday of Leo laying in his arms alongside a tear-jerking caption about ‘strength’. 

He wrote: ‘I now see strength in a different way. People would ask how strong am I and I’d answer with numbers of my squat, bench press or previous personal bests.

‘Now I’d answer that very differently. Strength is holding my little precious boy knowing it’s breaking my heart but mending his.’

He had shared in March that his wife Samantha had gone into premature labour and that their little son was fighting everyday to survive.

And on Tuesday Zack announced the tragic news of his son’s death, writing on Instagram: ‘Your mummy brought you into this world and your daddy held you as you left. Leo… you showed us what the true definition of strength is and we are so proud of you.

‘You brought so much positivity to the world with the short time you were with us and we felt that positivity in abundance, we thank you all so much for that.’ 

In a heart-wrenching caption, Steel shared one of his most ‘special moments’ with his son Leo came when he and his wife saw his heart rate and stats improve when they held him

Read More Gladiators 2025: Male champ sets record while surprise female contender wins in nail-biting final

Zack continued: ‘Although you were only with us for a short time, you brought us a lifetime of love. Thank you for letting us know that YOU had had enough of this fight. 

‘We will forever be grateful that we didn’t have to make that decision for you. Leo our lion, we love you more than you will ever know. Rest easy our little boy.’

In a previous post updating fans on Sunday afternoon, Samantha shared a sweet snap of Leo’s tiny hand resting on her finger – which Zack then reshared on his account.

She penned in the caption: ‘Thank you everyone for your kind words and premature baby stories. 

‘Please keep them coming… they are giving us so much hope for our precious Leo.’

In their announcement on Saturday they said: ‘Our Precious Boy Leo George ♥️

‘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 had shared in March that his wife Samantha had gone into premature labour and that their little son was fighting everyday to survive 

In a previous post updating fans on Sunday afternoon, Samantha shared a sweet snap of Leo’s tiny hand resting on her finger – which Zack then reshared on his account 

Zack is best known for his alter-ego Steel on the BBC series Gladiators

He concluded the post with: ‘Tiny, fragile and fighting #Family #Leo #WeLoveYou.’ 

In January, Zack announced that he and Samantha were expecting their second child.

The bodybuilder took to Instagram with a sweet post alongside daughter Ivy, 23-months.

The little one beamed as she held up the ultrasound scan with Zack gushing that the tot was ‘very excited’ to be a big sister.

He penned: ‘Ivy is very excited to have a new friend very soon, Little George number 2 in the making’.

If you have been affected by this story contact The Lullaby Trust on 0808 802 6868 or email [email protected].