Gladiators star Steel has shared a deeply moving family update after welcoming his new baby boy, Otis, with wife Samantha.
The BBC star, whose real name is Zack George, posted a series of tender photos of the newborn after the family returned home from hospital, telling fans that their little boy has been given the name Otis Leo George.
For Zack and Samantha, the middle name carries enormous meaning. It honours their late son Leo, who passed away last year after being born prematurely at 23 weeks.
Alongside the photos, Zack revealed that Otis weighed 9lb 8oz and shared a line that left many followers emotional. He said that one day, when Otis asks about his middle name, they will tell him it honours someone who would have loved him more than anything.
Gladiators star Steel has posted sweet snaps of his new baby boy Otis, as he shared how he’s paid tribute to his late son Leo with the newborn’s middle name
Steel – whose real name is Zack George – shared on Monday that he and his wife Samantha had welcomed a baby boy, 14 months after their son Leo died
The message quickly became more than a simple baby announcement. It was a tender tribute to Leo, a celebration of Otis and a glimpse into how the family is learning to carry love, loss and hope together.
Earlier this week, Zack also wrote that the arrival of Otis had brought a kind of healing to him and Samantha. In another emotional post, he told his newborn son that he would heal them more than he would ever know, adding that they loved him so much.
The couple’s joy comes 14 months after the loss of Leo, who spent 13 days being cared for in a neonatal intensive care unit. Zack has previously spoken with raw honesty about that painful period, describing the strength his son showed during his short life.
In past updates, Zack and Samantha explained that Leo faced serious medical challenges after arriving so early. They also spoke about the difficult decisions and emotions they had to live through as doctors fought to help him.
Leo had been born prematurely at 23 weeks on March 26, 2025, but passed away on April 7, after being cared for in a neonatal intensive care unit
Steel revealed he and Samantha had called their new baby Otis Leo George, as they shared snaps of the newborn after returning home from hospital
Samantha later admitted that, despite the pain still being fresh, the couple hoped to grow their family again and give their daughter Ivy a lifelong companion. She said they knew no baby could ever replace Leo, but felt another child would always carry a part of him with them.
That sentiment now feels woven into Otis’s name. By choosing Leo as his middle name, Zack and Samantha have created a permanent family tribute that keeps their little boy’s memory close while welcoming a new chapter.
The couple previously held a heartfelt farewell for Leo, with Zack sharing the speech he read at the service. In it, he described his son as tiny and brave, with a spirit that made a lasting impact in just 13 days.
Zack has also continued to honour Leo through a charity challenge called 13 Days Fighting, created in his memory. The effort reflects the strength the family saw in him and their wish to turn grief into something meaningful.
Now, as baby Otis settles into life at home, fans have flooded the family with love and support. Many praised Zack and Samantha for their openness, while others said the tribute to Leo’s name was one of the most beautiful ways to keep his memory alive.
For the family, Otis’s arrival is not about moving on from Leo. It is about moving forward with him still deeply present in their story.
And with the name Otis Leo George, Zack and Samantha have found a touching way to celebrate new life while honouring a love that will never fade.
