Max George has revealed that he will spend Christmas in hospital to undergo heart surgery, he told his fans on Thursday.
The Wanter singer, 36, who has battled alcoholism before, admitted he is “very lucky that this was caught when it was” as he shared the shocking health scare.
Max has not revealed what condition he suffers from.
He wrote: ‘Hello everyone, yesterday I felt very bad and was taken to hospital. Unfortunately, after some tests, they found out that I have some problems with my heart.
‘I have many more tests to determine the extent of the problems and what surgery I will need to recover.
‘It’s going to be a tough few weeks/months…and Christmas in a hospital bed wasn’t exactly what I had planned! But, as always, I am surrounded by love and support from my wonderful partner Maisie (Smith), her family, my family and friends… and I am 100% in the best place.
Max George, 36, has revealed that he is suffering from “heart problems” and will spend Christmas in hospital, he told fans on Thursday.
The Wanter singer admitted he’s “very lucky this was caught when it was” as he shared the shocking health update.
Max’s health battle comes after his late bandmate and best friend, Tom Parker, died at age 33 on March 30, 2022 following an 18-month battle with brain cancer (pictured together in 2021).
Siva Kaneswaran, Nathan Sykes, Tom, Max and Jay McGuiness from The Wanted photographed in 2021
‘Although this is a huge shock and certainly a setback, it is something I will face with all my might! I consider myself very lucky that this was detected when it occurred.
‘Sorry if I bore you with updates in the next few weeks… I’ve probably been in bed for a month and there’s not THAT much to do!
‘Let’s do this! Much love, Max x’
Shortly after his announcement, Max posted a light-hearted joke from his hospital bed about Manchester City’s defeat in Wednesday night’s football match.
Lying in bed with a heart monitor on his chest, he joked: “So I think they’re officially trying to kill me… come on guys.”
Max has been open about his battle with binge drinking and alcoholism over the years, previously admitting he drank “10 pints and three bottles of wine in one night.”
Last year, the singer revealed that he used alcohol to “adjust” to the spotlight and help ease his anxiety during his “lowest point.”
He referenced an incident where he consumed 10 pints and three bottles of wine in one night while celebrating his birthday.
Shortly after his announcement, Max posted a light-hearted joke from his hospital bed about Manchester City’s defeat in Wednesday night’s football match.
Max has been open about his battle with binge drinking and alcoholism over the years, previously admitting he drank “10 pints and three bottles of wine in one night.”
Last year, the singer revealed that he used alcohol to “adjust” to the spotlight and help ease his anxiety during his “lowest point.”
He added that he was also inspired to stop drinking after learning of Tom’s stage four glioblastoma diagnosis (pictured).
Tom shared his daughter Aurelia, five, and son Bodhi, four, with his widow Kelsey, who is now in a relationship with her new partner Will (pictured with Tom and their children in 2021).
The drink contained approximately 38 units of alcohol. The NHS advises that men and women should consume no more than 14 units over the course of a week.
Speaking about his drinking on Channel 4’s Scared Of The Dark, he said: “It always pissed me off before I performed.” I struggled to adapt, so I used to drink to feel like it didn’t bother me.
“Sometimes it’s quite difficult to differentiate between anxiety and depression, but mine was certainly more the anxiety side that started when the boys went to number one with All Time Low.”
Referring to his birthday binge, he confessed: “I was sick for a week. The doctor examined my liver and said my liver count was quite low, I’m not going to play with my liver. Then I stopped.’
He added that he was also inspired to stop drinking after learning of his late bandmate Tom Parker’s stage four glioblastoma diagnosis.
Tom died 33 years old on March 30, 2022 after an 18-month battle with brain cancer.
Breaking down into tears, she confessed to Paul: ‘How do you deal with it? There’s no cure for it, so I guess you just learn to get on with your life. But deal with it, definitely not.
‘I…I don’t think I’ll ever be okay with that, you know? One of the last things I said to him was, I thanked him for making my life so much better than it could have been, you know, like that whole journey of being in the band.
Max has been in a relationship with EastEnders star Maisie Smith since 2022.
‘He was my best friend. Fuck. I just don’t want it to be a burden or a thing for anyone else.’
Max previously revealed that sobriety has made his life clearer, despite leaving him “really bored on the weekends.”
In March last year he said: “I haven’t had a drink in 18 months, everyone says, ‘I bet you feel better, don’t you?'”
‘No, I just get really bored on the weekends! Just gloomy as always during the week. It’s been good, it’s easier to stay fit… so yeah, it’s all pretty clear now.’
The Wanted released a statement in January 2014 to announce that they would be taking time apart to “pursue personal projects.”
Doctors gave Max’s bandmate Tom just 12 months to live in October 2020, before his death in 2022.
Tom shared daughter Aurelia, five, and son Bodhi, four, with his widow Kelsey, who is now in a relationship with new partner Will.
Max has been in a relationship with EastEnders star Maisie Smith, 23, since 2022.
The couple were due to play a married couple in Jeff Wayne’s musical version of The War Of The Worlds, which will tour in 2025.
A year after performing on Strictly, Max was invited to the national tour of the dance show, which is when he struck up a romance with his co-star Maisie.
In 2022, he was forced to defend their 13-year age difference and told Hello! ‘It never crosses my mind. Maisie has already done so many things that amaze me. I admire her.”
If you are concerned about your or someone else’s alcohol consumption, call Drinkline for free on 0300 123 1110 (Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm, weekends 11am to 4pm).