Max George and Maisie Smith met on Strictly Come Dancing in 2020 (Picture: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Max George has revealed he is going to be in hospital over Christmas after doctors discovered heart issues, and his girlfriend Maisie Smith is supporting him all the way.
Taking to social media Max, 36, wrote: ‘Hey everyone, yesterday I felt really unwell and was taken in to hospital.
‘Unfortunately after some tests they’ve found that I have some issues with my heart.
‘I have a lot more tests to determine the extent of the problems and what surgery I will need to get me back on my feet.
‘It’s gonna be a difficult few weeks / months… and Christmas in a hospital bed wasn’t exactly what I had planned!’
Max went on to share that he was being supported by his partner – former EastEnders actress and Strictly Come Dancing star Maisie Smith, 23.
The pair didn’t get together until 2022 when they toured the live show (Picture: Jonathan Hordle/REX/Shutterstock)
The pair have previously defended their 13-year age gap (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
He said: ‘But, as always, I’m surrounded with love and support by my wonderful partner Maisie, her family, my family and friends.. and I’m 100% in the best place.’
‘Although this is a huge shock and no doubt a set back, it’s something I’ll take on with all I’ve got! I count myself very lucky that this was caught when it was.
‘Apologies if I bore you with updates in the coming weeks..I’ve probably got a month in a bed and there’s not THAT much to do!😂’
The couple moved in together early last year, and they are now refurbishing their house.
When did Max George and Maisie Smith get together?
Max and girlfriend Maisie – who is a former EastEnders star – met while they were competing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2020, and they live together in Manchester.
Maisie, who rose to fame playing Tiffany Butcher, was paired with Gorka Márquez while the All Time Low hitmaker danced with Diane Buswell.
But they didn’t start a romance until the live tour in 2022 two years later.
When they were linked with photos of them looking cosy in a park together, a source told The Sun: ‘They were all over each other. This isn’t a flash in the pan. Max has told people that he is falling in love with Maisie.’
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They now live together in Manchester and are refurbishing their house (Picture: Jonathan Hordle/REX/Shutterstock)
During an appearance on Loose Women in summer 2022, Max spoke about the rumours surrounding their relationship before they went public with it.
‘Speculation drove that more than we would have at the start, but once it was out there, we do everything out here, it was kind of like it’s out there,’ he said.
‘If we do something we may as well put it out there because there is nothing we don’t do.’
Maisie added: ‘The people we allow in our lives are so happy. Mam has never seen me so happy. That’s all that really matters to me.’
What have Max and Maisie said about their 13-year age gap?
Speaking to The Mirror last year, when asked about criticism of their 13-year age gap, Maisie argued: ‘When you’re in a new relationship, people have a lot to say.
‘But we’ve been together a while now and we’ve proven our love isn’t just for the cameras. We’re genuinely two best friends, in love and we’re so happy.
‘We still get negative comments. Family and friends are so supportive and have never seen either of us so happy. I’ve never been in such a happy position.’
The pair seem super happy together, and she’s supporting him through his heart problem (Picture: Jonathan Hordle/REX/Shutterstock)
Speaking to HELLO! in November 2022, Max said much the same: ‘It never enters my mind. Maisie has already done so many things that I’m in awe of – I look up to her.’
Maisie added: ‘People ask me, “Do you notice it?” and I never have. We’re so like-minded. I’ve got friends in their 30s and 40s. You connect with who you connect with.’
Tom Parker’s comments about Maisie Smith before he died
Max previously revealed his bandmate Tom Parker, who died aged 33 of a brain tumour in March 2022, made a comment about Maisie before his death.
‘When Maisie was on Strictly on the very first night, Tom said, “The girl from EastEnders is well cute, isn’t she?”,’ he recalled.
‘I replied, “She’s dead nice mate – she’s lovely”,’ he added when speaking to New! Magazine, as reported by The Mirror.
At the time, Max was in a relationship with Stacey Giggs and reportedly had little interaction with Maisie.
Max was previously with Michelle Keegan for two years, had a reported fling with Lindsay Lohan, was in a relationship with Sports Illustrated model Nina Agdal before he went out with Stacey in 2018 until 2022.
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