Max George, the renowned singer from the British boy band The Wanted, opened up about a harrowing experience that led him to write his will while confined to a hospital bed. This emotional revelation came after he underwent surgery due to a serious heart condition. In an interview with The Sun, the 36-year-old artist articulated the fear and anxiety he felt during this tumultuous time, stating, “I thought I was going to die.” The gravity of the situation compelled him to take out his phone and document his wishes regarding his assets, as he was genuinely worried about not making it through the ordeal.
George, hailing from Manchester, was diagnosed with a heart condition that resulted in the necessity for surgery just before the Christmas holiday. During the operation, he received a pacemaker to help regulate his heart rhythm. His release from the hospital on December 23 brought some relief, but the diagnosis was alarming — he had a “2:1 block” in his heart, meaning that the organ was beating abnormally due to issues with its electrical pulses.
In the wake of his surgery, George recounted his experience on social media and to the press, highlighting the moments leading up to the procedure. He shared that, upon discovering his heart condition, he felt as though he could go from being in a high point of his life to facing severe health risks. His thoughts spiraled, wondering, “What if the top half stops working overnight?” This contemplative state of mind led him to consider the implications for his family, friends, and girlfriend, actress Maisie Smith. During the interview, he expressed concern for his loved ones, stating that the reality of his responsibilities became incredibly palpable when faced with potential mortality.
Notably, George identified December 13 as the most challenging day along his journey — a day marked by dangerously low blood pressure and heart rate. He described that night as distressing, recalling a moment when he sensed his neck constricting and panic setting in, truly feeling like he was signing off on life. Thankfully, hope surfaced when the surgery was scheduled for December 18, thereby relieving some of the built-up tension. The operation itself lasted around three hours, and upon regaining consciousness, George was greeted by the reassuring presence of Maisie. He fondly reflected on this reunion, indicating that seeing her was a pivotal moment in his recovery, re-establishing his identity and reaffirming that he had a functioning heart once again.
Following the surgery, George humorously referred to his pacemaker as his “little friend,” conveying a light-heartedness amidst a serious matter. He expressed that this new device symbolized the best Christmas gift he could ever have wished for. The placement of the pacemaker, right beneath a tattoo honoring his late bandmate Tom Parker, further solidified his connection to his past and provided him with a sense of comfort.
Max George’s ascent to fame began in the early 2010s, sharing the limelight with fellow band members Siva Kaneswaran, Nathan Sykes, Jay McGuiness, and Parker. The group went on hiatus in 2014, but George and Kaneswaran made a triumphant return as a duo in 2022. Alongside his musical endeavors, George gained further media attention when he participated in the dance competition Strictly Come Dancing in 2020, where he met his partner, Maisie Smith.
Tragically, George’s journey has also been marked with sorrow, as he endured the loss of his bandmate Tom Parker, who succumbed to brain cancer at the age of 33 in March 2022. This duality of triumph and tragedy has shaped George’s story, profoundly revealing not just the vulnerabilities of a public persona but also the intimate realities of personal health and the importance of love and support from family and partners during challenging times.
