{"id":329513,"date":"2025-04-14T06:50:47","date_gmt":"2025-04-14T11:50:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.liveaction.org\/news\/?p=329513"},"modified":"2025-04-12T10:49:09","modified_gmt":"2025-04-12T15:49:09","slug":"british-gladiators-star-mourns-death-premature-son","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.liveaction.org\/news\/british-gladiators-star-mourns-death-premature-son\/","title":{"rendered":"British ‘Gladiators’ star mourns death of premature son: ‘I wish I could have done more’"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Zack George, a CrossFit athlete once named the fittest man in the United Kingdom<\/a> and star of the UK show “Gladiators,” has announced the death of his son, Leo, 13 days after he was born premature at 23 weeks.<\/p>\n

Last week, George shared a photo on Instagram of his wife, Samantha, with Leo, announcing<\/a> his early arrival. “You should still be tucked up inside mummy\u2019s tummy but instead you entered the world on the 26th March 2025 at just 23 weeks weighing 1 pound 8 ounces,” he wrote. “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.”<\/p>\n

Calling him “tiny, fragile, and fighting,” the couple nicknamed Leo “the lion” due to his strong spirit and will to live. Leo is their second child together; they welcomed daughter Ivy in 2023, and excitedly announced<\/a> they were expecting their second child just a few months ago. “Ivy is very excited to have a new friend very soon,” he wrote. “Little George number 2 in the making!”<\/p>\n

George initially remained optimistic, thanking fans for their support and saying he felt like Leo had a nation behind him. But less than two weeks after being born, Leo tragically passed away. The couple shared a photo of Leo in his father’s arms, both clearly devastated.<\/p>\n

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.<\/em><\/p>\n

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\u2019t have to make that decision for you. Leo our lion, we love you more than you will ever know. Rest easy our little boy.<\/em><\/p>\n

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A post shared by Zack George (@zackgeorge)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n