The Wanted star Max George has said he will be spending Christmas in hospital after doctors discovered “some issues” with his heart.
The singer, 36, provided the health update in an Instagram post alongside a photo of him giving a thumbs up while lying in a hospital bed.
He revealed he is awaiting more tests to determine the extent of the issues and what surgery he may need, but said he is expecting it to be a “difficult few weeks/months”.
He wrote: “Hey everyone, yesterday I felt really unwell and was taken in to hospital. Unfortunately after some tests they’ve found that I have some issues with my heart.
“I have a lot more tests to determine the extent of the problems and what surgery I will need to get me back on my feet.
“It’s gonna be a difficult few weeks/months… and Christmas in a hospital bed wasn’t exactly what I had planned.”
The singer said he is “surrounded with love and support” from his “wonderful” partner, actress Maisie Smith, as well as his family and friends.
He added: “Although this is a huge shock and no doubt a set back, it’s something I’ll take on with all I’ve got.
“I count myself very lucky that this was caught when it was.”
Friends and famous faces were among those to offer their support including his bandmate Siva Kaneswaran who said: “Here for you brother. Rest up and get well soon.”
JLS stars JB Gill and Marvin Humes also commented. Gill wrote: “God bless you bro, wishing you better soon. Sending lots of love”, while Humes added: “Sorry to hear you’re not well geezer, you’re strong and will fight through. Big love mate.”
George rose to fame in the 2010s with The Wanted, who had a number of hit songs including All Time Low and Heart Vacancy.
His bandmate Tom Parker died in 2022 at the age of 33 after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour.
George, who helped carry Parker’s coffin at his funeral alongside fellow bandmates Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness and Nathan Sykes, previously said on This Morning that he continued to message his late bandmate following his death as it brought him “a bit of comfort”.
He also appeared in the US musical series Glee as Clint and in his band’s reality series The Wanted Life.
Over the years, he has competed in a number of competition series including Strictly Come Dancing in 2020, Bear Grylls: Mission Survive and Richard Osman’s House of Games.
Earlier this year he made his stage debut in the theatrical adaption of a BBC TV show about a lottery syndicate by Kay Mellor titled The Syndicate.
George and soap actress Smith first met when they both competed on Strictly Come Dancing, but have previously said that romantic sparks only began to fly in 2022.
