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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Jessica Sansome

BBC Strictly's Maisie Smith sparks backlash with loved-up Valentine's Day display with Max George

Maisie Smith has come under fire after showing off her lavish gifts from her boyfriend Max George to mark Valentine's Day. The couple, who met when they both appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2020, marked what is thought to be their first Valentine's together.

In their first joint interview since going 'Instagram official' with their romance back in November, the former EastEnders actress and The Wanted star revealed that romantic sparks only began to fly earlier in 2022 despite meeting two years earlier.

Speaking to Hello! magazine, Maisie, 21, and Max, 34, opened up about how their connection developed and their plans for the future together for the first time, revealing that it was not until the BBC One dance competition's live arena tour in January this year that a close friendship started to form between them.

READ MORE: Stacey Solomon gives 'emotional' update with newborn Belle as she shares eldest son's sweet gesture

And they have since taken the next step in their relationship. Last month Maisie, who is known for playing Tiffany Butcher in EastEners, was given a special surprise by her singer boyfriend during a date at the cinema - but it didn't exactly go to plan. Max had planned a romantic gesture to ask the former soap star to move in with him - but Maisie ended up being left in hysterics.

But back to now and the talented duo enjoyed a romantice date night as they cosied up together on a huge bed on Valentine's Day. In pictures posted on Instagram, rose petals could be seen scattered all over their bed and Maisie appeared to go all glam for the occasion as she showed off a stunning pair of red patent high heels.

Maisie and Max were also seen in a warm embrace, with Maisie pictured wearing barely a scrap of make-up as she pulled her hair back in a bun while sporting a white vest as Max wrapped his tattooed arms around her for a selfie on their bed.

Max also shared a similar post, alongside which he penned: "A day I’ll never forget… Happy Valentines Day my beautiful girl. I love you. A day I’ll never forget… Happy Valentines Day my beautiful girl. I love you." Maisie was quick to reply as she told her man: "Lucky lucky girl," before adding: "I love you.

However, the replies were filled with negative comments as Maisie shared a picture of the gifts they had purchased for the special day, featuring something from Balenciaga.

The designer fashion brand was slammed towards the end of last year over one of its fashion campaigns which was also criticised by Kim Kardashian. Images for the campaign showed two young girls, both holding stuffed teddy bears which were dressed in bondage clothing while surrounded by an assortment of other items.

The advertisements sparked a major backlash online, including from the 42-year-old reality star, who said she was "shaken by the disturbing images". Kim later said she was "re-evaluating my relationship" with the brand, following the incident before Balenciaga’s creative designer has personally apologised for making the "wrong artistic choice".

The Georgian fashion designer added that he would engage with child protection organisations to learn how to “contribute and help on this terrible subject."

Flooding the comments of Maisie's post, @keely_ann__ said: "Please not the balenciaga." @tiah_mcintosh commented: "Balenciaga is not the one....unfollowed." @dorsetfoodie wrote: "Balenciaga? Oh ok." @freyabutland_ added: "Your choice of gift was balenciaga. BYE."

Others were distracted by Maisie's killer heels which she flashed on screen. @donthassallthekimi said: "Those shoes tho…." @claire.bedwell.alexander wrote: "OMG @maisiesmithofficial those shoes!!!!!!!!!" @trishapxx added: "Oh my the shoes…. Enjoy your first Valentine’s Day together."

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