The Wanted’s Max George returns to work after “long road trip” to recovery from heart surgery

The Wanted‘s Max George has announced he will be returning to work after a “long road trip” to recovery from heart surgery.

In February, the singer revealed he had a second operation weeks after he was fitted with a pacemaker after being diagnosed with a “2:1 block in my heart”, a condition where the heart beats more slowly or with an abnormal rhythm.

Days later it was announced that The Wanted 2.0 would be postponing their first UK headline while he recovered. They had been set to launch the new, two-member version of the group – completed by Siva Kaneswaran – at Manchester Cathedral.

Now, George has shared that he will be heading back to work, joining the UK and European tour of The War Of The Worlds.

The singer was originally announced for the 2025 tour of Jeff Wayne’s musical back in April 2024. He will feature alongside his girlfriend and former EastEnders star Maisie Smith, who will be playing his on-stage wife, Beth.

In a statement shared yesterday (March 19), George said: “Hey everyone! I’m absolutely buzzing that I’m still able to perform as Parson Nathaniel in The War Of The Worlds. Obviously, the last few months have been rough, 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.”

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The singer first opened up about his health last December, telling fans that he had been hospitalised after some tests revealed “issues” with his heart. He said he was initially “feeling really unwell” and was having some tests carried out. It was later confirmed that George would need surgery for a heart condition.

He went on to explain that he had “a 2:1 block” in his heart, meaning that his heart beats slower or more irregularly than it should. He underwent heart surgery to have a pacemaker fitted shortly afterwards, and was discharged from the hospital in time for Christmas.

Earlier, George had said he thought was “going to die” after being rushed to hospital with heart issues. Speaking to The Sun, the singer explained that at one point he was so convinced he wouldn’t make it, that he took out his phone and started writing out what to do with his assets.

“It was quite close that night, it really felt like my neck was closing up and that’s when the sort of panic really kicked in. I felt like I was dying. It was the worst, I felt emotional,” he remembered.

When he was discharged from hospital, George explained that he wasn’t completely in the clear as doctors had found there was more investigation needed into a potential issue with his lungs.

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