The Wanted‘s Max George has given fans another update about his health. After revealing plans to spend the Christmas holiday in hospital to deal with an undisclosed heart problem, the 36-year-old former boy bander said he is headed back to deal with some additional issues.
In an Instagram video posted earlier this week, George noted that he’d had a pacemaker installed to help regulate his heartbeat before saying that he was scheduled to go back to the hospital again this week due to some issues with the device. “I’ve been getting this flicking feeling in the left side of my chest,” he said in the clip in which he’s petting his bulldog Albert.
“I’m actually getting it right now,” he said in the video. “I was wondering if you guys knew what it might be or if you’ve experienced it yourself because the doctors aren’t too sure. Maybe it’s touching a nerve and it’ll go away in time or they might have to move a wire slightly, but I’m all ears because all I’m doing is research. I know nothing about pacemakers. This came completely out of the blue. Any information I could get would be most appreciated.”
Fans, of course, were more than happy to weigh in after George captioned the post with a request for any help his followers might be able offer. “Hubby has heart failure and has an ICD fitted (defibrillator + pacemaker in one) and he has a Boston Device on his bedside cabinet which downloads automatically and sends to the hospital. He had a shock – the hospital knew and called us straight away. They also know when he paces irregularly. Look into this Max. You’ll be okay,” wrote one.
Another said their mom is a nurse and she said that it was likely just the pacemaker’s battery regulating his heartbeat and that things should be fine, while another one had a similar device installed said they’ve had that feeling before and it’s likely a matter of needing a small adjustment.
In a December 10 update, George posted a picture of his chest after the pacemaker surgery, writing, “Say hello to my little friend! Given the last 10 days, this is the best Christmas present I could have ever wished for. Pacemaker is in. Operation took around 2 and half hours. The main issue being some of my veins had collapsed where the wires were meant to go… But the hospital surgeons, doctors and nurses at the NHS have been incredible. I owe everything to them.”
He added that the surgeon installed the device just under a “very special tattoo” on his chest, the date 04.08.1988, the birth date of his former Wanted bandmate, Tom Parker, who died in 2022 at age 33 due to brain cancer.
While it’s been a rough month, on New Year’s Eve George gave thanks for everything he has, writing, “2024.. Certainly a year I won’t forget! So lucky to have the life that I have. I can’t wait for the next chapter, no matter what challenges lie ahead. I wish everyone an amazing night tonight.. and that 2025 brings you good health and the best year!”
British boy band The Wanted – whose other members inclue Nathan Sykes, Jay McGuiness, Siva Kaneswaran and the late Parker — went on indefinite hiatus in 2014. After Parker’s death, the living members reunited to re-record their song “Gold Forever” in his honor. George and Kaneswaran got together earlier this year to form The Wanted 2.0, with the duo touring the U.K. last summer, with brief another run of English dates planned for this year, including a pair of summer festival gigs.
Check out George’s video below.
