Max George makes triumphant stage return for first time since pacemaker surgery

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Max George has marked a major milestone in his recovery after undergoing heart surgery.

The star, who rose to fame as 1/5 of boyband The Wanted, was initially rushed to A&E in December by his mum, who noticed he had ‘turned blue’.

After undergoing tests as his heart dropped frighteningly low, the Glad You Came hitmaker had a pacemaker fitted just before Christmas.

The pop star, 36, has been recuperating since but has now returned to the stage to perform for an adoring audience.

Max and his girlfriend, former EastEnders actress Maisie Smith, 23, are touring the country in Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds.

Their arena run kicked off in Hull last night and will progress to cities including Liverpool, Nottingham, Birmingham, and London until April 20.

The Wanted star Max George is back performing after having a pacemaker fitted (Picture: Instagram)

Singer Max portrays the role of Parson Nathaniel, while Maisie plays his on-stage wife, Beth.

Taking to social media ahead of the curtain lifting, Max shared a preview of his stage makeup, which would shock anyone who didn’t know what character he was playing.

‘Stage time…’, he wrote alongside a clip of his face covered in fake blood and bruises, looking pretty beaten up.

It was touch-and-go for a while whether Max would still be part of the production, but thankfully, last week, he confirmed the good news.

‘It’s been a long road trip since December… but we got here!’, he shared.

‘Currently in rehearsals for Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds, and it’s gonna be EPIC. Another arena tour to tick off the bucket list… including the Co-op Live Arena in my hometown for the first time!

The singer was rushed to hospital in December after his mum noticed he had ‘turned blue’ (Picture: Instagram) He’s now back on top form and touring the country in Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds

‘I’m playing Parson Nathaniel, Maisie is playing Beth (my wife), and Liam Neeson has a great right hook… SPOILER ALERT.’

Max added on Instagram that he ‘genuinely can’t wait’ to get out on the road.

His post came shortly after Max reflected on a ‘rough’ few months, adding: ‘But after a lot of hard work and rehabilitation, I’m back to my best, and I’ll be performing throughout the whole tour.

‘Getting to do this with Maisie is an experience I’m sure I’ll never forget.’

Max met Maisie while competing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2020, but they didn’t start dating until the live tour two years later.

The soap icon has been by her boyfriend’s side throughout his recovery, including his second heart operation in February.

Girlfriend Maisie Smith has been by Max’s side throughout his recovery (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

His additional surgery forced Max to cancel a live show as part of the new two-member version of The Wanted, in which he stars alongside bandmate Siva Kaneswaran.

Confirming the news to fans, he said in a video posted online that he was ‘gutted’ not to be able to do the gig.

‘My second heart op has just set me back a little bit with my recovery, and I’m just not going to be well enough in time. Yeah, [I’m] obviously so gutted.

‘Me and Siva are just working out now when we’re gonna do it, which we 100 per cent will. We just need to figure out a date in the near future.’

He concluded: ‘But thanks again for all your support. Siva’s been awesome, as always, and we can’t wait to get this venture going. It’s just one of them things. It’s a bummer, but I’ll see you very, very soon. Love you.’

Max had to have another op after experiencing some ‘physical symptoms’ that led to doctors realising one of the pacemaker leads was placed ‘too far’ into his heart. 

The pop star recently had a second procedure after experiencing complications (Picture: Instagram)