a day ago
Gladiators' Zack George and his wife Samantha break down recounting the devastating loss of their son Leo as star reveals the gruelling challenge he is taking on in his memory
Gladiators ' Zack George and his wife Samantha broke down as they recounted the devastating loss of their baby on BBC Breakfast on Saturday morning.
The TV personality, who is also a father to daughter Ivy, two, welcomed his son Leo into the world on 26th March 2025 when he was just 23 weeks old.
However 13 days later Zack announced the tragic news of his son's death, after Leo suffered complications including brain bleeds, collapsed lungs and a hole in his heart.
And speaking in the candid interview, Zach opened up about a special moment he shared with his newborn and revealed the gruelling challenge he is taking on in his memory.
Zack explained: 'I didn't actually hold him for the first days.
'A really special moment is that when he was in the incubator and his oxygen levels dipped or his blood pressure dipped, if we were sitting next to him and we touched him and was speaking with him, we would instantly see his stats improve.
'I think that was a really special moment, he knew who his mum and dad were and he knew you were there.'
Zack explained that he is taking on the 13 Days Fighting' Burpee Challenge in memory of Leo.
It will consist of completing a mile of burpees every day for 13 consecutive days, from August 18 until 30 this year, in different locations across the UK.
The challenge is proudly supported by Currys, who will be joining Zack on his journey to raise awareness and funds for the Leicester Hospital NICU.
In addition to their support, Currys will be donating up to £5,000 worth of tech equipment for family and staff rooms within the unit, helping create a more comfortable and supportive environment for both parents and healthcare workers.
The funds raised through the 13-day challenge will go towards equipment, support services, and improvements to the NICU at Leicester Hospital - the hospital that gave Leo his 13 precious days and cared for him around the clock.
His appearance on the BBC show comes after Zack and his wife broke down in tears recounting the devastating loss of their baby son on Tuesday's episode of Loose Women.
Zack and Samantha took to the panel to open up to Ruth Langsford, 65, Coleen Nolan, 60, Myleene Klass, 47, and Katie Piper, 41, about their loss.
Their bravery to talk about such a sensitive subject really hit home to Myleene, who has been very open about her miscarriages in the past and has been honoured for her services to women's health, miscarriage awareness and charity.
Ruth said: 'Myleene, you're sitting there holding hands with Samantha, it is so devastating.'
Myleene paused and gathered herself before saying: 'I am so so sorry. I think that you are so brave.'
She continued: 'So brave. The fact that you can say the words four months later.'
Ruth pointed out that the couple, who tied the knot last year, want to honor his memory to make something positive come out of the heartbreaking situation.
The fitness fanatic will be taking part in a challenge where he will be doing a mile of burpees every day for 13 days.
Zack explained: 'When Leo eventually passed away, the way I have to deal with grief, I have to have something positive come out of the situation.
'I couldn't, we just lost our baby boy, nothing else, nothing positive had come from this.
'I had to try and turn it into a positive somehow and get some good out of it.
'So straight away I just thought of a challenge. He was with us for 13 days, I know you mentioned Sam held Leo, one of my biggest regrets was that I was a bit too scared to hold him.
'He was so small and fragile. I never held him until the very last day.
'That evening, things weren't looking good.
'We came in. He kind of waited for us.
'That's the only time we got to hold him, when he passed away.'
Samantha said: 'He did pass away when Zack was holding him.'
'It's a magical moment, but no parent should hold him until his heart stops beating,' Zack said holding back the tears.
Zack continued later: 'We're hoping that the challenge will raise awareness.
'So I am going to be doing a burpe mile every day for 13 days straight.'
Myleene asked where she could donate, to which he explained: 'We have Leo and Friends, which we set up, it's got a website, Leo and Friends Foundation.
'We've got our Instagrams as well, where the link is there.
I just want to spread awareness for premature baby loss as much as possible.
'We've had so many people reach out to us and say thank you for talking about it, because they've gone through the same thing.'
If you have been affected by this story contact The Lullaby Trust on 0808 802 6868 or email support@
Loose Women airs weekdays from 12.30pm on ITV.
