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Max George
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Key Information
Maximillian Albert George[1] (born 6 September 1988) is an English singer and actor, known as the lead singer of the boy band The Wanted.
George started his career as a footballer, playing for Preston North End. After an injury ended his football career, he decided to pursue a music career. George made his singing debut with the band Avenue. After the group disbanded in 2009, George joined the newly formed band, The Wanted. In 2014, following The Wanted's success in the United States, he landed his first acting role in the sixth season of the American television series Glee in the role of Clint, the leader of "Vocal Adrenaline".[2]
In 2013, George starred in the E! channel reality series The Wanted Life.[3]
Early life
[edit]George was born on 6 September 1988 in Swinton, Greater Manchester, and studied at Bolton School.[4] He was raised in Manchester.[5] Before music, he was a footballer with Preston North End and was on the verge of signing a two-year deal with them. He has been a Manchester City supporter since a young age.[6]
Music career
[edit]Avenue and The X Factor
[edit]In 2005 George joined the four-piece boy band Avenue made up of himself, Jonathan Lloyd, Scott Clarke, Ross Candy and Jamie Tinkler. After applying to The X Factor in 2006, the band auditioned for the third series of the competition singing an a cappella version of the Will Young song, "Leave Right Now".[7] They were mentored by Louis Walsh after completing the bootcamp and judges' house portion. Making it to the top 12 contestants, the band then signed a management contract with the series. After it was discovered they were already under contract with another management firm, they were disqualified from the show.[8][9][10] Following the disqualification, they were signed to the Crown Music Management recording label and were awarded an album deal with Island Records.
With Andy Brown joining as a member of Avenue replacing Jamie Tinkler, the band went on to have some success beyond their X Factor appearances. In 2008, Avenue released their debut single, "Last Goodbye", which reached number 50 on the UK Singles Chart. Their plans to go on tour were cancelled. They had a follow-up release with "Can You Feel It?." The group disbanded in 2009.[11] In 2008, while still a member of Avenue, George appeared naked on cover of British gay magazine AXM's "Naked Issue" in support of cancer research.
The Wanted
[edit]
In 2009, a mass audition was held by Jayne Collins to form a boy band, after successfully launching Parade and The Saturdays. George auditioned and was selected as one of five members, along with Nathan Sykes, Siva Kaneswaran, Tom Parker and Jay McGuiness out of the thousands of others who auditioned. The band was formed and together they worked on their debut album before finding a perfect name for their band, The Wanted. Their debut single "All Time Low" was released on 25 July 2010, debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart. Their second single, "Heart Vacancy" was released on 17 October 2010. The song hit number two on the UK Singles Chart, and at number 18 in Ireland. Their third single, "Lose My Mind" was released on 26 December 2010. The song peaked number 19 on the UK Singles Chart, and peaked at number 30 in Ireland. In 2011, the single was released in Germany and in 2012, in the United States.[12] In 2013, in support of a crossover appeal to the American music market, the group starred in their own reality series on E!.[13] The series, The Wanted Life only aired for one season.
The band announced their decision to break in January 2014.[14] Max, as a member of the band has sold over 12 million records worldwide.
Solo artist
[edit]In January 2014, George revealed in an interview that he was signed as a solo artist by Scooter Braun.[15] On 3 July 2018 he released his first solo single "Barcelona". The song has more than 4.5 million streams on Spotify. On 24 May 2019 he released his second single "Better On Me".[16]
Other ventures
[edit]Modelling
[edit]In June 2013, George was named as the new face and spokesmodel for Buffalo denim's fall line. He starred in the campaign opposite Sports illustrated swimsuit model, Hannah Davis. In November 2013, he did an underwear campaign for Buffalo again.[17]
Acting career
[edit]George is signed with Creative Artists Agency since 2013.[18] In June 2014, George revealed his decision to enroll in elocution classes, to help improve his pursuit of an acting career.[19][20] In September 2014, it was confirmed that he had joined the cast of Glee in the role of Clint, a bully and the lead vocalist of Vocal Adrenaline, after Mark Salling shared a photo of him on Twitter hanging out with Max on the set of the final season of the US comedy drama.[21][22][23] He made his first on screen appearance on 9 January 2015. In April 2024, George was cast as Parson Nathaniel in Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds for the 2025 The Spirit of Man tour.[24]
Reality television
[edit]On 2 February 2015, it was announced that George had joined the cast of Bear Grylls' reality televise survival series, Bear Grylls: Mission Survive.[25]
On 1 September 2020, it was announced that George would be taking part in the eighteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing.[26] He was partnered with Australian dancer Dianne Buswell. They were eliminated on week 4 of the competition, finishing in ninth place.
In 2022, he competed in the ITV series The Games. In 2023, he took part in Scared of the Dark on Channel 4.
Radio
[edit]On 7 July 2021, it was announced that George would be joining Hits Radio, presenting Friday Night Hits, every Friday from 7-10pm across the Hits Radio Network. His first show was on 9 July 2021.
Personal life
[edit]George was in a relationship with actress Michelle Keegan from December 2010.[27] The couple became engaged in June 2011, but ended their relationship the following year.[28] In October 2013, George confirmed in an interview that he was dating Danish swimwear model Nina Agdal.[29] They split in February 2014. He dated beauty queen Amy Willerton briefly in 2014.[30] In October 2014, he confirmed being in a relationship with Miss Oklahoma contestant Carrie Baker.[31][32]
In 2018, he began dating Stacey Giggs, but they split in August 2022 after he was embroiled in cheating rumours with co-star Maisie Smith.[33] In September 2022, it was revealed that he was dating EastEnders actress Maisie Smith.[34] In December 2024, George was unexpectedly rushed into hospital, after he felt unwell. On 18 December he underwent heart-block surgery, and was fitted with a pacemaker.[35][36]
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Chasing the Saturdays | Himself | Episode: "#DeepFriedSats" |
| The Wanted Life | 7 episodes | ||
| 2015 | Glee | Clint | Recurring role; 6 episodes |
| Bear Grylls: Mission Survive | Himself | 2 episodes | |
| 2020 | Me, Myself and Di | Lifeguard | Film |
| Bloodshore | Gav | FMV Game | |
| Strictly Come Dancing | Himself | Contestant; series 18 | |
| 2022 | Pointless Celebrities | Contestant | |
| 2023 | Scared of the Dark | ||
| 2023 | Tipping Point: Lucky Stars | ||
| Richard Osman's House of Games |
Discography
[edit]Singles
[edit]| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2018 | "Barcelona" |
| 2019 | "Better On Me" |
| "Til I Met You" | |
| 2020 | "That's Not Me" |
| "Hate You" | |
| "Paint By Numbers" | |
| "Give Yourself To Me" |
References
[edit]- ^ George, Max (25 January 2012). "The Wanted: British band hopes to make splash in the U.S." Windy City Times (Interview). Interviewed by Jerry Nunn. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
- ^ Evans, Denise (4 February 2015). "Watch: Max George stars in Glee". Manchester Evening News. United Kingdom: manchestereveningnews.co.uk. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
- ^ Garibaldi, Christina (31 May 2013). "'The Wanted Life' Is 'Not for My Mom's Eyes,' Max George Shares". www.mtv.com. Archived from the original on 6 February 2015.
- ^ "The Wanted closer to breaking America". theboltonnews.co.uk. 29 August 2013. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
- ^ "The Wanted hit Scotland and release their debut album". STV. 26 October 2010. Archived from the original on 29 October 2010. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
- ^ "Louis' X-Factor boys make return". Metro. 28 August 2008. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
- ^ "Avenue's audition including George to The X Factor in 2006". 10 September 2006 – via YouTube.
- ^ Samson, Pete (7 October 2006). "Exclusive: Avenue axed from X Factor". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 8 December 2008.
- ^ "Avenue boy band kicked off Simon Cowell's British 'The X Factor' show". Reality TW World. 26 September 2006. Retrieved 8 December 2008.
- ^ "Louis Walsh disqualifying Avenue from The X Factor competition" – via YouTube.
- ^ Balls, David (15 September 2014). "Boyband Avenue announce split". digitalspy.co.uk. Archived from the original on 9 November 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2009.
- ^ Rovi, Andrew Leahey (23 September 2014). "The Wanted". billboard.com.
- ^ Garibaldi, Christina (6 February 2015). "'The Wanted Life' Is 'Not for My Mom's Eyes,' Max George Shares". www.mtv.com. Archived from the original on 6 February 2015.
- ^ Wyatt, Daisy (25 September 2014). "The Wanted split up: Boy band announce break". independent.co.uk. Archived from the original on 12 May 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
- ^ Citizen, The (21 September 2014). "Nathan Sykes and bandmate Max George sparked The Wanted's split for solo careers". gloucestercitizen.co.uk. Archived from the original on 30 January 2014. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
- ^ "Interview: Max George opens up about new single Better On Me and his plans for solo music". Entertainment Focus. 24 May 2019. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
- ^ "Max George Models Underwear for Buffalo David Bitton @MaxTheWanted". proudprisoners.com. 29 September 2014. Retrieved 15 November 2013.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Shenton, Zoe (21 September 2014). "Max George on The Wanted split: I wasn't dishonest, everything I said the boys already knew". mirror.co.uk. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
- ^ Sheehan, Katie (27 June 2014). "The Wanted's Max George Taking Speech Lessons". ARTISTdirect. Artist Direct. Archived from the original on 29 June 2014.
- ^ "Max George in elocution classes to improve chances of acting jobs". express.co.uk. 16 September 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
- ^ Grubbs, Jefferson (16 January 2015). "'Glee' Newbie Clint Is Played By Max George From The Wanted, So He's Basically Perfect To Lead Vocal". www.bustle.com.
- ^ H, Emily (21 September 2014). "Glee Spoilers: The Wanted's Max George CONFIRMED for final season!". unrealitytv.co.uk. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
- ^ Heath, Olivia (19 September 2014). "The Wanted's Max George hangs out with Mark Salling on Glee set". reveal.co.uk. Archived from the original on 22 January 2015. Retrieved 14 September 2014.
- ^ "Strictly star couple Max George and Maisie Smith cast in The War of the Worlds UK tour". radiotimes.com. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ Campbell, Tina (2 February 2015). "From Max George to Emilia Fox: Bear Grylls Mission Survive celebrity lineup confirmed". Metroaagency=DMG Media. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
- ^ "Caroline Quentin, Jason Bell and Max George announced as first three Strictly Come Dancing contestants". Heart. 1 September 2020. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
- ^ "Max George From The Wanted For Axm Magazine 'Naked Issue' 2008". Wowwow.me. 12 September 2010. Archived from the original on 16 November 2010. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
- ^ "Michelle Keegan's ex-fiancé Max George exclusively speaks out about former partner after she moved on with Mark Wright". OK! Magazine. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
- ^ Warwick, Charlotte (30 October 2013). "Max George opens up about model girlfriend Nina Agdal: "She lights up the place"". Sugarscape. Archived from the original on 3 November 2013. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
- ^ Bourne, Dianne (8 June 2014). "The Wanted heart-throb Max George and Amy Willerton cosy up at Neighbourhood – and run into Dizzee Rascal". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
- ^ Eames, Tom (29 October 2014). "The Wanted's Max George dating Miss Oklahoma contestant". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 9 November 2014. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
- ^ Hind, Katie (7 November 2014). "Max George moves to Hollywood for GOOD to be with new girlfriend Carrie Baker". Daily Mirror. mirror.co.uk. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
- ^ "Max George's ex Stacey Giggs says she's shifted 'a lead weight from around neck' in wake of split". Ok! Magazine. 15 August 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
- ^ "Maisie Smith refers to Max George as her 'boyfriend' as she shares sweet tribute". OK! Magazine. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
- ^ Youngs, Ian (16 December 2024). "The Wanted singer needs urgent heart-block surgery". BBC News. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
- ^ "Max George: The Wanted singer 'wrote will from hospital'". BBC News. 12 January 2025. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
External links
[edit]Max George
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Family and upbringing
Max George was born Maximillian Albert George on 6 September 1988 in Swinton, Greater Manchester, England.[8] He is the younger of two sons born to parents Mark George and Barbara George.[9] His older brother, Jack George, works as a visual effects coordinator.[10] George's paternal grandparents are David George and Theresa George.[8] George was raised in the Manchester area, where his family provided a supportive environment during his formative years.[9] Little is publicly detailed about his parents' professions or the family's socioeconomic background, but George has credited his mother, Barbara, with playing a pivotal role in his personal life, including recent health emergencies where she intervened to seek medical help for him.[11] For his education, George attended Bolton School, an independent day school in Greater Manchester, where he developed early interests that would later influence his career path.[12] The school, known for its rigorous academic program, counts George among its notable alumni, though specific details of his school experiences remain limited in public records.[13]Football aspirations and transition to music
Max George developed a strong passion for football from a young age, aspiring to a professional career in the sport. He joined the youth academy of Preston North End, a professional club in the English Football League, where he showed promise as a player.[14][1] By his late teens, George was on the verge of signing a two-year professional contract with Preston North End, which would have launched his full-time football career. However, a career-ending injury forced him to abandon these ambitions, leaving him without the opportunity to pursue the sport professionally.[2][1] In reflecting on the setback, George stated that "after being forced to quit football through injury, music was my only other passion."[14] With his football dreams shattered, George quickly pivoted to music, auditioning solo for the second series of The X Factor in 2005 at age 16.[2][1] He later joined the boy band Avenue, which auditioned for the third series in 2006. This transition from athletic pursuits to performing arts laid the foundation for his later success with The Wanted, as music became his primary focus thereafter.[14]Music career
Pre-fame bands and The X Factor
Prior to achieving fame with The Wanted, Max George pursued a music career starting with a solo audition on the second series of The X Factor in 2005. At age 16 and with a broken arm in a sling, he performed "Lean on Me" by Bill Withers, but did not advance beyond the initial audition stage.[15] In 2005, George joined the newly formed boy band Avenue, a four-piece group (later expanding to five members) assembled by music entrepreneur Ashley Tabor.[1] The band, consisting of George alongside members including Jamie Tinkler, Andy Brown, and others, auditioned for the third series of The X Factor that year. Performing original material and covers, they impressed the judges—Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, and Sharon Osbourne—and advanced to the top 12, reaching the judges' houses stage under Walsh's mentorship. However, they were disqualified just before the live shows for breaching competition rules by failing to disclose their existing management deal with Tabor, which contestants were required to declare and potentially terminate.[16][17][18] Despite the disqualification, the exposure led to a record deal for Avenue with Island Records, a label under Universal Music Group. The group, known for a pop sound with indie rock influences and live instrumentation—George contributed guitar, which he had played for eight years—recorded in Sweden and released their debut single "Last Goodbye" in 2008, followed by efforts toward a full album. They performed at events and aimed to revive the boy band genre but disbanded in 2009 after limited commercial success.[19][20][21]The Wanted era
Max George joined The Wanted, a British-Irish boy band, in 2009 following mass auditions organized by manager Jayne Collins, who had previously assembled groups like the Saturdays.[22] The band consisted of George on lead and backing vocals, alongside Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness, Tom Parker, and Nathan Sykes.[23] Signed to Geffen Records under Universal Music, the group quickly gained traction in the UK pop scene, with George emerging as a prominent frontman due to his vocal range and stage presence.[22][10] The band's debut single, "All Time Low," released in July 2010, topped the UK Singles Chart and marked their first number-one hit, spending one week at the summit.[23][24] This success propelled their self-titled debut album, The Wanted, to number four on the UK Albums Chart in November 2010, featuring additional top-ten singles like "Heart Vacancy" and "Lose My Mind."[23] The album's polished pop sound, blending electronic elements with harmonious vocals, established the band as a commercial force, contributing to over 12 million records sold worldwide during their active years.[25] In 2011, follow-up single "Glad You Came" also reached number one in the UK, while their second album, Battleground, peaked at number five, including hits such as "Lightning" (number two) and "Warzone."[23] Expanding internationally, The Wanted achieved breakthrough success in the United States with "Glad You Came," which peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 2012, boosted by a cover on the TV series Glee.[26] This led to a US EP release and arena tours, including the 16-date Behind Bars Tour in the UK (March–April 2011) and a North American headline tour in 2012. The band's third album, Word of Mouth (2013), reached number nine in the UK and featured singles like "We Own the Night" and "Show Me Love (America)," though it underperformed compared to predecessors amid growing competition from acts like One Direction.[23] Amid their rising profile, The Wanted starred in the E! reality series The Wanted Life in 2013, which documented their relocation to Los Angeles for album promotion and personal lives, airing for one season and highlighting George's charismatic role within the group.[27] The band embarked on further tours, including the Code Tour in 2013 across the UK and Europe, performing to sold-out crowds.[28] By 2014, after releasing a greatest hits compilation, internal tensions and solo pursuits led to an indefinite hiatus announcement in January, effectively ending the initial era, though George credited the experience with shaping his career as a performer.[29]Post-hiatus activities and reunions
Following the release of their third studio album Word of Mouth in 2013, The Wanted announced an indefinite hiatus in early 2014, allowing members to pursue individual projects.[30] Max George, who had been tipped as a potential solo artist, focused initially on acting and television opportunities while releasing solo singles including "Barcelona" in 2018 and "Better On Me" in 2019, and expressing ongoing interest in music collaborations.[1][30] By 2018, the band members remained active in entertainment but had not reunited, with George emphasizing personal growth during the break.[28] Reunion discussions gained momentum in 2020 amid the band's tenth anniversary, though plans were delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.[31] George and Tom Parker actively pushed for a full comeback, with George later revealing he had been advocating for it since 2014.[32] The group finally reconvened in September 2021 for a performance at the Stand Up to Cancer telethon, marking their first joint appearance in seven years and supporting Parker's brain cancer treatment.[31] This event was followed by additional one-off shows, including a 2022 gig at the O2 Arena in London shortly after Parker's death from glioblastoma in March of that year.[33] In 2024, George and Siva Kaneswaran launched "The Wanted 2.0," a duo project performing the band's hits without the other original members, who cited scheduling conflicts.[34] George admitted the pairing was unexpected, as he and Kaneswaran had not been particularly close during the band's active years.[34] The tour faced setbacks, including cancellations of UK dates in September due to unspecified circumstances and a postponement in February 2025 following George's recovery from heart surgery in late 2024.[35][36] Despite these challenges, George returned to performing in October 2025, reuniting onstage with Kaneswaran for U.S. shows in Las Vegas as part of The Wanted 2.0 tour, which incorporated Wanted material.[37] However, tensions emerged within the group, with George and Nathan Sykes reportedly unfollowing each other on social media in late 2025 amid a failed attempt at a full band reunion.[38]Other ventures
Modeling and endorsements
In 2013, Max George became the face of Buffalo David Bitton's fall advertising campaign, starring alongside model Hannah Davis to promote the brand's denim line. The campaign, photographed in a rustic setting, featured George in jeans and casual attire, marking his first major foray into fashion modeling as a member of The Wanted.[39] Later that year, George expanded his collaboration with Buffalo, appearing in the brand's "In the Buff" Winter 2013 underwear campaign. The shoot, set at a New York estate, showcased him shirtless in various poses to highlight the underwear collection, emphasizing his physique and contributing to the brand's lifestyle appeal. This series of campaigns positioned George as a spokesmodel for Buffalo, blending his music career with commercial fashion opportunities.[40] In September 2020, George signed with Elite Model Management in London, entering professional modeling representation. There, he is handled by Kirsty Reilly for commercial inquiries and Alex Babahmadi for fashion bookings, opening doors to further endorsement deals and brand partnerships in the post-hiatus phase of his music career.[41]Acting roles
George began pursuing acting after The Wanted's initial hiatus in 2014, relocating to Los Angeles to focus on the craft. His first major television role came in the sixth and final season of the Fox musical comedy series Glee, where he portrayed Clint, the cocky leader of rival glee club Vocal Adrenaline. Appearing in six episodes from January to March 2015, George's character was introduced as a bully who clashes with the McKinley High show choir during national competitions.[42] Following his Glee stint, George returned to the UK and took on smaller film roles. In 2021, he appeared as a lifeguard in the romantic comedy Me, Myself and Di, a low-budget indie film directed by David Morris and starring Chris Fondacaro and Lucy Pinder. The movie, set in Rhyl, Wales, follows a hapless businessman on a road trip with Princess Diana's bodyguard, with George's brief role contributing to the film's lighthearted coastal antics.[43] That same year, George ventured into interactive media with the full-motion video (FMV) game Bloodshore, developed by Wales Interactive. He voiced and performed as Gav, a contestant in a dystopian battle royale streamed for entertainment, blending acting with choice-driven gameplay. The title, released on multiple platforms including PlayStation and PC, featured George alongside other performers in live-action sequences depicting high-stakes survival challenges.[44] In 2024, George was cast as Jamie, the assistant manager, in the UK touring production of Kay Mellor's The Syndicate, an adaptation of the BBC sitcom about lottery-winning supermarket workers. However, he withdrew from the production before its premiere on April 8 due to unforeseen medical reasons.[45] In 2025, following his recovery from heart surgery, George starred as Parson Nathaniel opposite Maisie Smith as Beth in the arena tour of Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds – The Spirit of Man, which began in March.[46]Television and reality shows
Max George has made several appearances on British and American reality television, often leveraging his fame from The Wanted to participate in competitive and survival formats. These shows have showcased his physical challenges and personal reflections, particularly following the band's hiatus.[47] In 2013, George starred in the E! reality series The Wanted Life, which followed the band members during their U.S. promotional activities and daily lives ahead of their third album release. The eight-episode program, which premiered in June, highlighted the group's dynamics and career pressures in Los Angeles.[48][49] George's first major British reality outing came in 2015 on ITV's Bear Grylls: Mission Survive, a survival challenge series set in the Costa Rican rainforest. As one of eight celebrities, he faced tasks like building shelters and navigating terrain under Bear Grylls' guidance but was the first eliminated after struggling with endurance tests, including consuming insects.[50][51] In 2020, he competed on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing series 18, partnered with professional dancer Dianne Buswell. The singer performed routines including a jive to "I'm a Believer" by The Monkees and a couples' choice to the Simpsons theme, earning praise for his quickstep but exiting in week four after a dance-off against Maisie Smith. George later credited the experience with aiding his mental health recovery.[47][52][53] George returned to reality TV in 2022 on ITV's The Games, a week-long sports competition at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre. Among 12 celebrities, he participated in events like rowing and pole vaulting, finishing tenth overall despite an early injury, and dedicated his efforts to late bandmate Tom Parker.[54] His most recent appearance was in 2023 on Channel 4's Scared of the Dark, hosted by Danny Dyer, where eight celebrities spent five days in a pitch-black bunker facing psychological challenges. George opened up about Parker's death and his own struggles with alcohol, voluntarily quitting in the finale after emotional discussions.[55][56][57]Radio and presenting
In July 2021, Max George joined Hits Radio as the host of Friday Night Hits, a new Friday evening program airing from 7 to 10 p.m. across the Hits Radio Network.[58] This marked his debut in radio presenting, where he played popular tracks, shared music insights, and engaged with listeners through interactive segments.[59] George debuted on air on 9 July 2021, expressing enthusiasm for connecting with audiences beyond his music career.[60] The show featured a mix of contemporary hits, guest interviews, and themed playlists, aligning with George's background in pop music.[59] He continued hosting Friday Night Hits for several years, contributing to the station's evening lineup while balancing his commitments with The Wanted and acting projects.[58] By September 2025, George had stepped down from regularly hosting Friday Night Hits but remained affiliated with Hits Radio, with plans to appear on future programs.[1] During his tenure, he occasionally guested on other Hits Radio shows, such as the Breakfast program, discussing personal milestones like sobriety and band reunions.[61]Personal life
Relationships and engagements
Max George was engaged to English actress Michelle Keegan from June 2011 to June 2012. The couple, both from Manchester, began dating in December 2010 after being introduced by mutual friends. George proposed to Keegan during a romantic holiday in Mexico just seven months into their relationship, and she accepted immediately. Their engagement was publicly confirmed in April 2012, with Keegan expressing excitement about their future together.[62][63][64] The engagement ended abruptly in June 2012, less than a year after the proposal, amid reports of George's struggles with excessive alcohol consumption and the demands of his touring schedule with The Wanted. George later reflected that his drinking habits contributed significantly to the breakup, describing it as a challenging period in his life. Keegan has since married former TOWIE star Mark Wright in 2015, while George moved on to other relationships.[65][66] Following the split from Keegan, George had a brief romantic encounter with actress Lindsay Lohan in 2013 while in Los Angeles, though it was described as a short-lived fling rather than a serious relationship. He then dated model Carrie Baker from around 2014 to 2019, a five-year relationship that ended over the phone; Baker later revealed she had suffered a miscarriage during their time together. In 2019, George began dating Stacey Giggs, the former wife of footballer Ryan Giggs, after being introduced by mutual friends; the relationship, which included periods of separation and reconciliation, ended in August 2022 following rumors of infidelity during his time on Strictly Come Dancing.[67][66][68] George has been in a relationship with actress and singer Maisie Smith since August 2022. The pair first met in 2020 as professional partners on the eighteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing, where their partnership was platonic and focused on competition; romance developed nearly two years later after they reconnected as friends. Despite a 13-year age gap, their bond strengthened through shared experiences, including George's health challenges, with Smith providing significant support during his heart surgery in 2024. As of November 2025, the couple remains together, with Smith describing their connection as deeper than ever following his recovery. Engagement rumors surfaced in late 2022 after they introduced their families during a holiday, but no official confirmation has been made.[69][70][71]Health challenges
In December 2024, Max George was hospitalized after experiencing severe fatigue and feeling "really unwell," leading to the discovery of an atrioventricular heart block, a condition that disrupts the electrical signals between the heart's upper and lower chambers, causing abnormally slow heartbeats.[72][73] His heart rate dropped as low as 26 beats per minute, prompting emergency intervention.[74] On December 18, 2024, he underwent surgery to implant a pacemaker, which successfully stabilized his condition, though he remained in the hospital over the Christmas period for monitoring.[72][73] George later reflected that the timely diagnosis likely prevented a fatal outcome, stating, "I count myself very lucky that this was caught when it was."[72] Complications arose shortly after the initial procedure when the pacemaker's wires, embedded too deeply, caused a persistent "flickering sensation" and electric shocks in his chest.[75][73] This necessitated a second heart surgery on January 15, 2025, during which the wires were removed and repositioned under sedation; the two-hour operation carried risks including potential bleeding on the heart.[75][73] Post-surgery, George endured intense chest pain and coughed up blood for five days, exacerbating his anxiety about further complications.[75] On January 17, 2025, he underwent a lung biopsy to investigate enlarged lymph nodes, a painful procedure involving a camera and prongs that posed a risk to his vocal cords.[75][73] The biopsy diagnosed myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, which doctors anticipated would resolve within weeks to months.[75] By February 17, 2025, George received medical clearance following these interventions, expressing optimism about his recovery despite the setbacks: "It’s been a setback, but it’s just one of those things… I’m sure I’ll be back on top form in no time!"[75] However, in March 2025, he required another hospital admission after experiencing a recurring "flicking" sensation in his chest, linked to the prior heart surgeries.[76] In September 2025, George was hospitalized again amid ongoing recovery from his heart operations. He has since recovered and returned to performing, including a U.S. gig in Las Vegas in October 2025.[77][78] Throughout this period, George maintained sobriety for over five years, ruling out alcohol as a contributing factor, and focused on gradual rehabilitation to resume his professional activities.[72][73]Filmography
Film credits
Max George made his feature film debut in the 2021 British comedy Me, Myself and Di, where he portrayed a lifeguard in a supporting role.[79] The film, directed by Chris Green and written by Samantha Lloyd, follows Janet, a hopeless romantic who wins a trip to a caravan park in Rhyl, North Wales, and is convinced by her best friend to pretend to be more outgoing in hopes of finding holiday romance.[79][80]| Year | Title | Role | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Bloodshore | Gav | John McPhail[81] |
| 2021 | Me, Myself and Di | Lifeguard | Chris Green[79] |
Television credits
Max George's television career encompasses both scripted acting roles and numerous appearances on reality and competition formats, often leveraging his fame from The Wanted to participate in high-profile British shows. His breakthrough acting credit came in the musical comedy series Glee, where he portrayed the antagonist Clint, leader of the rival glee club Vocal Adrenaline, across six episodes in the show's sixth and final season. Beyond acting, George has been a prominent figure in reality television, starring in his band's E! docuseries The Wanted Life as himself and serving as a producer, which chronicled the group's U.S. endeavors over seven episodes.[27] In 2015, George competed on ITV's survival challenge Bear Grylls: Mission Survive, where he was the first celebrity eliminated after struggling with jungle tasks in Costa Rica, raising awareness for endurance under duress. He later joined the eighteenth series of BBC's Strictly Come Dancing in 2020, partnered with professional dancer Dianne Buswell, performing routines like the jive and American smooth before exiting in week six via public vote.[47] George's reality TV engagements continued into 2023 with Channel 4's experimental format Scared of the Dark, a bunker-based survival show in complete darkness, from which he voluntarily withdrew in the finale after emotionally discussing the death of bandmate Tom Parker. That same year, he showcased competitive sides on various quiz and culinary programs. On BBC's Celebrity MasterChef, George competed in the eighteenth series, navigating cooking challenges despite admitting limited kitchen skills, which he humorously attributed to fibbing about his abilities to secure a spot. He also appeared on ITV's Tipping Point: Lucky Stars, teaming with politician Jess Phillips and actress Linda Robson to win £6,900 for The Brain Tumour Charity in tribute to Parker, whom he credited with inspiring his participation. Additionally, George joined BBC Two's Richard Osman's House of Games in series seven, week six, testing general knowledge alongside contestants like Scarlette Douglas and Susie McCabe over five episodes.[82]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | The Wanted Life | Self (also producer) | E! reality series; 7 episodes following the band's U.S. tour and daily life.[27] |
| 2015 | Glee | Clint | Fox musical series; recurring role in 6 episodes of season 6 as Vocal Adrenaline's cocky leader. |
| 2015 | Bear Grylls: Mission Survive | Self | ITV survival competition; eliminated first after Costa Rican rainforest challenges.[83] |
| 2020 | Strictly Come Dancing (series 18) | Self (contestant) | BBC dance competition; partnered with Dianne Buswell; reached week 6.[84] |
| 2023 | Celebrity MasterChef (series 18) | Self (contestant) | BBC cooking competition; featured in episode 4 with tasks like intricate desserts.[85] |
| 2023 | Scared of the Dark | Self (contestant) | Channel 4 darkness survival show; withdrew in finale episode.[86] |
| 2023 | Tipping Point: Lucky Stars (series 12) | Self (contestant) | ITV quiz game; won £6,900 for charity with team in episode 3.[87] |
| 2023 | Richard Osman's House of Games (series 7) | Self (contestant) | BBC quiz panel; competed in week 6 across 5 episodes.[82] |
Discography
The Wanted releases
The Wanted, the British-Irish boy band featuring Max George, released three studio albums during their active years from 2010 to 2013, along with one extended play (EP), one compilation album, and 13 singles, primarily through Geffen and Island Records. Their discography achieved significant commercial success in the UK and internationally, with two number-one singles on the UK Singles Chart and multiple top-ten hits. The band's music blended pop, dance, and electropop elements, contributing to over 10 UK top-ten singles overall.[23][88] The debut studio album, The Wanted, marked their entry into the music scene and spawned three top-20 UK singles, establishing their popularity. Follow-up albums Battleground and Word of Mouth continued this momentum, with the latter featuring collaborations and a broader international push, including releases in the US market. In 2021, following a reunion announcement, they issued a greatest hits compilation that revisited their catalog including two new original tracks, "Rule the World" and "Colours". An EP, The Wanted, was released exclusively in the US to capitalize on growing American interest.[23][88][89] Key singles like "Glad You Came" became global hits, reaching number one in the UK for two weeks and peaking at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100, driven by strong digital sales and radio airplay. Other notable tracks, such as "Chasing the Sun" and "I Found You," also charted well internationally, particularly in the US where the band aimed to expand their fanbase.[90][91]Studio Albums
| Title | Release Date | UK Peak Position | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Wanted | 25 October 2010 | 4 | Geffen |
| Battleground | 4 November 2011 | 5 | Island |
| Word of Mouth | 4 November 2013 | 9 | Island |
Extended Plays
| Title | Release Date | US Peak Position | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Wanted | 24 April 2012 | 7 (Billboard 200) | Mercury |
Compilation Albums
| Title | Release Date | UK Peak Position | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Wanted: The Greatest Hits | 12 November 2021 | 8 | Universal |
Singles
| Title | Release Year | UK Peak Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Time Low | 2010 | 1 | Debut single; number one for one week |
| Heart Vacancy | 2010 | 2 | From debut album |
| Lose My Mind | 2010 | 19 | From debut album |
| Gold Forever | 2011 | 3 | Charity single for Comic Relief |
| Glad You Came | 2011 | 1 | Global hit; number three on US Billboard Hot 100 |
| Lightning | 2011 | 2 | From Battleground |
| Warzone | 2011 | 21 | From Battleground |
| Chasing the Sun | 2012 | 2 | Peaked at 50 on US Billboard Hot 100 |
| I Found You | 2012 | 3 | Collaboration with Nina Sky; peaked at 89 on US Billboard Hot 100 |
| Walks Like Rihanna | 2013 | 4 | From Word of Mouth |
| We Own the Night | 2013 | 10 | From Word of Mouth; peaked at 94 on US Billboard Hot 100 |
| Could This Be Love | 2013 | 77 | Promotional single |
| Show Me Love (America) | 2013 | 8 | Cover; from Word of Mouth |
