When pop star Max George reflects on the past two years, he doesn’t shy away from the turbulence he’s faced. The 37-year-old singer, best known for his chart-topping days with The Wanted, describes his recent health ordeal as “a blessing in ways”—a surprising phrase for someone who narrowly avoided tragedy. But for George, his heart condition has become more than a personal challenge: it’s sparked a new mission to raise awareness, offer hope, and support others living with similar diagnoses.
Back in December 2024, George’s life took an abrupt turn. He was rushed to hospital after experiencing alarming symptoms—shortness of breath, blue arms and chest, and a face drained of color. "I knew something was seriously wrong, because I could hardly breathe, and my arms and my chest were blue – and my face," he recalled to the Press Association, as reported by The Independent. The diagnosis was swift and unsettling: a 2:1 block on his heart, a disorder that disrupts the heart’s electrical signals and can cause dangerously low heart rates. In George’s case, his pulse had plummeted to just 24 beats per minute, a rate so low it persisted for about eight days while he awaited surgery.
"It was mad," he said. "It was a shock more than anything. My heart rate was so low at that time, it was at around 24 (beats per minute) and it was like that for about eight days whilst I was in hospital waiting for the operation. I couldn’t physically feel anything that was going on, but I was aware of it. There were times where it kind of felt like torture a little bit." (PA via The Independent)
The solution came in the form of urgent surgery and the fitting of a pacemaker—a device that would take over the job of keeping his heart beating regularly, a common treatment for heart block as explained by the NHS. The procedure, performed only a week after his admission, marked both a frightening and transformative moment. "It was a shock," George admitted, but it also set him on a new path—one that would see him become an unexpected advocate for heart health.
During his hospital stay, George began sharing his journey on Instagram. Initially, he said, it was out of "boredom"—a way to pass the long hours confined to a hospital bed. Yet what started as casual updates quickly grew into something much more meaningful. "To interact with people was just something nice to do. But the more I spoke to people, the more I realised that there was a lot of people my age and younger that have had this happen to them," he explained. "It kind of triggered a thought process that it was important to get the word out there – that (heart problems) don’t just happen to people over 75."
George’s candor struck a chord with followers, many of whom shared their own experiences with heart conditions. The realization that cardiovascular disease isn’t confined to the elderly spurred him to action. "If I can help them with their story or help bring more money towards treatment for heart conditions, then I’m all for it," he said. "In terms of that, this whole thing has been a blessing in ways, because it’s been really rewarding speaking to people, especially people that are younger than me, and helping them feel a little bit better about their case."
His recovery, thankfully, has been steady. By 2025, George was back on stage, performing with The Wanted 2.0, the latest iteration of the band that catapulted him to fame in the 2010s. Alongside bandmates Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness, Nathan Sykes, and the late Tom Parker, George helped deliver hits like "All Time Low," "Glad You Came," and "Chasing The Sun," earning two UK number one singles and four top 10 albums. The loss of Parker in 2022 to an inoperable brain tumour at just 33 remains a poignant chapter in The Wanted’s story, a reminder of the unpredictability of health and life itself.
Yet George’s focus is now firmly on giving back. He’s become a prominent supporter of the British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) new campaign, which aims to shine a spotlight on the realities of living with heart disease. As part of the initiative, the BHF is unveiling 65 red benches across the UK—one for each year the charity has been in operation. Each bench is dedicated to a survivor of cardiovascular disease, bearing their name and a message about their life and interests. George is "genuinely buzzing" to be involved, telling the Press Association, "It feels really cool to be a part of it. This is an awesome campaign to be supporting, and we’ll just see where it goes."
His role in the campaign isn’t just symbolic. George plans to meet with others living with heart conditions, swapping stories and offering solidarity. It’s a far cry from the pop stardom that defined his earlier career, but in many ways, he’s found a new kind of stage—one where the stakes are higher, but the rewards, as he puts it, are "really rewarding."
George’s journey has also brought attention to the broader issue of heart health among younger adults. "There was a lot of people my age and younger that have had this happen to them," he emphasized, challenging the stereotype that heart problems are only a concern for those in their twilight years. By sharing his own struggles and recovery, he’s encouraged others to seek help, get checked, and support ongoing research and treatment efforts.
Outside of music and advocacy, George’s personal life has also been in the spotlight. He appeared in the American musical drama Glee and participated in Strictly Come Dancing in 2020, where he met his partner, former EastEnders actress Maisie Smith. Through it all, he’s maintained a sense of humor and resilience, qualities that have no doubt helped him face his health battles head-on.
Looking back, George doesn’t minimize the fear and uncertainty of his ordeal. But he’s also quick to highlight the silver linings. "In terms of that, this whole thing has been a blessing in ways," he said, reflecting on the connections he’s made and the lives he’s touched. For George, surviving a heart block wasn’t just about getting back on stage—it was about finding a new purpose, one that’s as much about helping others as it is about his own recovery.
As the BHF’s red benches begin to appear across the UK, each one tells a story of resilience, hope, and survival. And thanks to voices like Max George’s, those stories are reaching more people than ever before.