The Wanted star Max George finally returned home for Christmas after undergoing emergency heart surgery, sharing a joyful reunion with girlfriend Maisie Smith.
The 36-year-old singer, who had a pacemaker fitted during a two-and-a-half hour operation, was initially expected to spend the festive period in hospital.
However, on Christmas Eve, George delighted fans by announcing his discharge, telling followers: “I’m back home waiting for my beautiful girlfriend to arrive at some point. Best present ever.”
George revealed details of the challenging operation, explaining that some of his veins had collapsed where the pacemaker wires were meant to go.
In a touching detail, the surgeon placed the pacemaker just beneath a special tattoo commemorating George’s late bandmate Tom Parker, featuring Parker’s date of birth: August 4, 1988.
“Say hello to my little friend!” George wrote on social media, praising NHS staff. “The hospital surgeons, doctors and nurses have been incredible. I owe everything to them.”
The couple were reunited after he spend weeks in hospital
The couple shared intimate glimpses of their Christmas Day together through social media posts.
In one photo, they were snuggled up on the sofa, with Smith sporting a festive red cracker hat.
George also posted an image of their tastefully decorated Christmas table, complete with festive place settings, crackers and candles.
“It’s so good to be home,” he captioned the collection of photos, showing the pair’s cosy celebration together.
The star spent Christmas day with his girlfriend
Speaking from his hospital bed before discharge, George admitted feeling “knackered” and said he would need additional tests in the coming weeks regarding his lungs.
“The numbers are way way better,” he shared, though noting he was “a bit battered and bruised.”
Former EastEnders star Smith had been determined to visit George in hospital despite it requiring a 500-mile round trip.
“We’re still talking every day and FaceTiming. I’m still trying to be there as much as I can be,” Smith told The Sun.
During his time in the hospital, George also encountered an issue when his room was flooded with water after he left the bathroom sink running – and had to be moved to a new room.
George and Smith’s relationship began after they met as contestants on Strictly Come Dancing in 2020.
The couple didn’t start dating until 2022, with Smith now balancing her relationship commitments alongside her current role in Beauty And The Beast at Canterbury’s Marlowe Theatre.
The 23-year-old actress performed on Christmas Eve and was scheduled to return to the stage on Boxing Day, demonstrating the couple’s ability to manage their relationship alongside professional commitments.
