Just as Max George was gearing up for a string of American shows with his bandmate Siva Kaneswaran, life threw him a frightening curveball.
The 36-year-old singer ended up rushing to hospital not once, but twice in the same week because his heart slipped into arrhythmias — those unpredictable rhythms that can make the heart beat too fast, too slow, or simply out of sync.
And all of this happened just two days before he was supposed to hit the road in the US.
After doctors stepped in, Max found himself lying inside a heart MRI machine instead of a tour bus.
Sharing the Moment With Fans
Rather than keeping the scare to himself, Max opened up on Instagram, posting photos of him giving a classic thumbs-up before the scan.
In true Max fashion, he injected humour into the situation, writing:
“So, THIS happened 2 days before our tour in America… and no, I didn’t go to space.”
He explained he’d been rushed to A&E twice in a single week, prompting the full heart scan.
The relief in his next words was obvious — everything checked out well enough for him to be cleared to return to the stage, though doctors made a few small adjustments to keep things steady.
Back on the Road at Last
Once he got the green light, Max didn’t waste a second.
He and Siva flew out and began their US tour, performing in cities like Orlando, Las Vegas, Miami, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Atlantic City.
Fans flooded his comments with support, grateful to see him well enough to travel again. Messages poured in:
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“Glad everything was ok and you were able to get on stage!”
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“You’re so strong Max, keep it up.”
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“Sending hugs — take care of yourself.”
Max joked that hopefully he wouldn’t have to repeat what he called this “grim bushtucker trial” anytime soon.
A Long Road From His Pacemaker Surgery
Max’s challenges didn’t begin this month. Almost a year ago, he was fitted with a pacemaker after struggling with heart problems.
Not long after, he needed a second procedure when doctors realised the original wires had been inserted too deeply.
In February, during The Wanted 2.0’s UK tour, his recovery forced the group to postpone a planned show at Manchester Cathedral.
The update broke Max’s heart a little — he admitted in a video to fans that he was “gutted” to fall behind schedule after his second operation slowed everything down.
Facing the Reality of a Second Surgery
When he spoke to The Sun on Sunday, Max confessed the idea of undergoing a second operation terrified him.
Removing pacemaker wires carries a risk of bleeding around the heart, and the uncertainty weighed heavily on him.
But the choice wasn’t really a choice — he needed the surgery, and delaying it wasn’t an option.
Even before doctors realised the wires were too deep, Max felt something wasn’t right.
He described a strange flickering sensation that got worse each week, often triggering shocks in his chest whenever his heart rate climbed.
His entire chest would shake — an alarming feeling for anyone, let alone someone whose career revolves around performing.
A Tough Night and a Tougher Procedure
The night before his operation, Max barely slept. Complications were on his mind, and fear naturally crept in.
But with his girlfriend Maisie Smith, 24, and his mum Babs by his side, he pushed through and completed the surgery — awake, but heavily sedated.
Just when he thought he could finally relax, another issue surfaced.
Doctors discovered enlarged lymph nodes on his lungs, meaning more tests and another round of worry.
A Risk No Singer Ever Wants to Hear
To find out what was happening in his lungs, Max needed a biopsy.
The problem? The procedure carried a small but very real chance of damaging his voice.
He admitted the warning shook him, but he decided to go forward anyway.
The biopsy was rough — a camera with prongs went down his throat — and recovery wasn’t gentle either.
He spent days with chest pain, coughing up blood, and simply tryin
g to breathe comfortably.
At Last, Some Good News
Thankfully, the results came back clear. After months of fear, uncertainty, and setback after setback, Max finally got the one thing he desperately needed: reassurance.
Now, he’s focusing on rebuilding his strength, admitting the health issues have left him feeling the “least fit” he’s ever been.
But judging by his determination — and his eagerness to get back on stage — he’s not letting any of it keep him down for long.
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