Max George reveals he's had pacemaker fitted as he hails it as ‘best Christmas present ever’
The Wanted's Max George has shared that he's had a pacemaker fitted following an operation to treat a 2:1 heart block. The singer took to Instagram on Saturday to share a snap of his scar, located just below a "special tattoo" on the left side of his chest. The tattoo reads 04/08/1998, a tribute to his late bandmate Tom Parker's birthday, who sadly passed away in 2022.
Max, 36, had previously revealed that he was hospitalised due to "issues with my heart". He described the fitting of his pacemaker as "the best Christmas present". In his post, he wrote: "Say hello to my little friend! " and "Given the last 10 days, this is the best Christmas present I could've ever wished for."
He continued: "Pacemaker is in. Operation took around two and a half hours. The main issue being some of my veins had collapsed where the wires were meant to go... But the surgeons and nurses at the NHS have been incredible. I owe everything to them."
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Max also mentioned that his pacemaker was placed under a special tattoo, adding: "The surgeon kindly put my pacemaker just underneath a very special tattoo of mine.. So I'm sure it's being looked after."
He also revealed that he still has a few more tests to undergo due to inflamed lymph nodes on his lungs, but he remains optimistic, stating: "Few more tests to do due to inflamed lymph nodes on my lungs, but that'll be easy work!"
He concluded his update by thanking everyone for their support, saying: "Thank you for all your support. It's meant a hell of a lot to myself and my family."
Earlier in December, Max had shared that he had "a 2:1 block in my heart" and would be undergoing heart surgery "way quicker than the doctors first thought". He had previously opened up in a candid video on his Instagram stories, saying he was "hoping (for a) pacemaker".
These life-saving devices, which help to regulate the heartbeat, have been instrumental in saving numerous lives by providing an electric pulse.
Tom, who shot to fame in the 2010s as part of the popular boy band The Wanted alongside Max, tragically passed away at the age of 33 after battling an inoperable brain tumour.
Beyond his success with The Wanted, George has also graced the screen in the US musical series Glee and showed off his dance moves on Strictly Come Dancing. It was there that he met his future girlfriend, the former EastEnders actress Maisie Smith, back in 2020. However, the pair's romance didn't blossom until two years later.
