Gladiators star Steel has opened up about his late baby son Leo’s heartbreaking health battles during his short life.
The athlete’s son was born prematurely at 23 weeks and died after 13 days in a neonatal intensive care unit earlier this month.
Steel - real name Zack George - has now detailed Leo’s devastating health issues while sharing an emotional video of his wife Samantha sitting beside their newborn’s incubator.
"What Leo had to endure during his 13 days fighting in NICU (heartbreak emoji),” the BBC star, 34, wrote on Instagram.
"3 Blood transfusions, Collapsed lungs, A Grade 1 and Grade 2 bleed on his brain, A Hole in his heart (PDA heart condition), A hole in his trachea causing air pockets in his lungs."
George added that he will be taking part in a charity fitness challenge he has launched called 13 Days Fighting in memory of Leo.
He penned: "Bravery, strength, courage and resilience are just a few of the many qualities Leo showed us. This is why we are calling the charity event 13 days fighting.
"A burpee mile everyday for 13 days straight will be around 10,000 burpees. We're ready to show the same qualities our little boy showed us #Leothelion."
George then shared a clip of himself training for the challenge, writing: "Starting with 200/300 unbroken burpees couple times a week to get back into the swing of things, then going for a mile on May 3rd. Then it’s only 12 more right?"
George and Samantha - who married in September - have another child, a daughter named Ivy, who is nearly two.
George announced Leo’s death earlier this month with a gut-wrenching photo of him and his wife cradling their tot 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,” he penned.
"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.
He 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."
If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at childbereavementuk.org or you can call them on 0800 02 888 40.
