Max George
Maximillian Albert George (born 6 September 1988) is an English singer, songwriter, and actor, best known as a founding member and lead vocalist of the boy band The Wanted.[1][2] Born in Swinton, Greater Manchester, George initially pursued a career in professional football, playing as a defender for Preston North End before an injury forced him to pivot to music in his late teens.[3][2] George's music career began in 2005 when, at age 16, he auditioned for the second series of The X Factor, earning three yeses from the judges but not advancing further.[1] That same year, he joined the short-lived boy band Avenue, with whom he released singles "Last Goodbye" (2008) and "Can You Feel It?" before the group disbanded in 2009.[2][1] In 2009, George co-formed The Wanted alongside Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness, Tom Parker, and Nathan Sykes, achieving international success with their debut single "All Time Low," which topped the UK Singles Chart in 2010.[2][1] The band followed with hits including "Glad You Came" (UK No. 1 in 2011) and albums The Wanted (2010) and Battleground (2011), alongside a US breakthrough and an E! reality series, The Wanted Life, in 2013.[2][1] The group announced a hiatus in January 2014, reunited briefly in 2021, and continued performing after Parker's death from a brain tumor in 2022.[1] Following the hiatus, George released solo singles such as "Barcelona" in 2018 and "Better On Me" in 2019, while expanding into acting with his debut role as Clint, the leader of rival glee club Vocal Adrenaline, in the sixth season of Glee (2014–2015).[3][1] He competed on the eighteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2020, reaching the quarterfinals with partner Aljaž Škorjanec, and hosted Friday Night Hits on Hits Radio from 2021 to 2022.[2] In personal life, George was engaged to actress Michelle Keegan from 2011 to 2012 and has been in a relationship with actress Maisie Smith, whom he met on Strictly Come Dancing, since September 2022.[2][2] As of November 2025, George has returned to performing after undergoing life-saving heart surgeries, including pacemaker implantation, in late 2024 and early 2025, despite a hospitalization for complications in September 2025; he joined bandmate Kaneswaran for their first U.S. gig in Las Vegas in October 2025 and starred as Parson Nathaniel opposite Smith in Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds arena tour in 2025.[4][1][5][6][7]Early life
Family and upbringing
Max George was born Maximillian Albert George on 6 September 1988 in Swinton, Greater Manchester, England.[8] He is the younger of two sons born to parents Mark George and Barbara George.[9] His older brother, Jack George, works as a visual effects coordinator.[10] George's paternal grandparents are David George and Theresa George.[8] George was raised in the Manchester area, where his family provided a supportive environment during his formative years.[9] Little is publicly detailed about his parents' professions or the family's socioeconomic background, but George has credited his mother, Barbara, with playing a pivotal role in his personal life, including recent health emergencies where she intervened to seek medical help for him.[11] For his education, George attended Bolton School, an independent day school in Greater Manchester, where he developed early interests that would later influence his career path.[12] The school, known for its rigorous academic program, counts George among its notable alumni, though specific details of his school experiences remain limited in public records.[13]Football aspirations and transition to music
Max George developed a strong passion for football from a young age, aspiring to a professional career in the sport. He joined the youth academy of Preston North End, a professional club in the English Football League, where he showed promise as a player.[14][1] By his late teens, George was on the verge of signing a two-year professional contract with Preston North End, which would have launched his full-time football career. However, a career-ending injury forced him to abandon these ambitions, leaving him without the opportunity to pursue the sport professionally.[2][1] In reflecting on the setback, George stated that "after being forced to quit football through injury, music was my only other passion."[14] With his football dreams shattered, George quickly pivoted to music, auditioning solo for the second series of The X Factor in 2005 at age 16.[2][1] He later joined the boy band Avenue, which auditioned for the third series in 2006. This transition from athletic pursuits to performing arts laid the foundation for his later success with The Wanted, as music became his primary focus thereafter.[14]Music career
Pre-fame bands and The X Factor
Prior to achieving fame with The Wanted, Max George pursued a music career starting with a solo audition on the second series of The X Factor in 2005. At age 16 and with a broken arm in a sling, he performed "Lean on Me" by Bill Withers, but did not advance beyond the initial audition stage.[15] In 2005, George joined the newly formed boy band Avenue, a four-piece group (later expanding to five members) assembled by music entrepreneur Ashley Tabor.[1] The band, consisting of George alongside members including Jamie Tinkler, Andy Brown, and others, auditioned for the third series of The X Factor that year. Performing original material and covers, they impressed the judges—Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, and Sharon Osbourne—and advanced to the top 12, reaching the judges' houses stage under Walsh's mentorship. However, they were disqualified just before the live shows for breaching competition rules by failing to disclose their existing management deal with Tabor, which contestants were required to declare and potentially terminate.[16][17][18] Despite the disqualification, the exposure led to a record deal for Avenue with Island Records, a label under Universal Music Group. The group, known for a pop sound with indie rock influences and live instrumentation—George contributed guitar, which he had played for eight years—recorded in Sweden and released their debut single "Last Goodbye" in 2008, followed by efforts toward a full album. They performed at events and aimed to revive the boy band genre but disbanded in 2009 after limited commercial success.[19][20][21]The Wanted era
Max George joined The Wanted, a British-Irish boy band, in 2009 following mass auditions organized by manager Jayne Collins, who had previously assembled groups like the Saturdays.[22] The band consisted of George on lead and backing vocals, alongside Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness, Tom Parker, and Nathan Sykes.[23] Signed to Geffen Records under Universal Music, the group quickly gained traction in the UK pop scene, with George emerging as a prominent frontman due to his vocal range and stage presence.[22][10] The band's debut single, "All Time Low," released in July 2010, topped the UK Singles Chart and marked their first number-one hit, spending one week at the summit.[23][24] This success propelled their self-titled debut album, The Wanted, to number four on the UK Albums Chart in November 2010, featuring additional top-ten singles like "Heart Vacancy" and "Lose My Mind."[23] The album's polished pop sound, blending electronic elements with harmonious vocals, established the band as a commercial force, contributing to over 12 million records sold worldwide during their active years.[25] In 2011, follow-up single "Glad You Came" also reached number one in the UK, while their second album, Battleground, peaked at number five, including hits such as "Lightning" (number two) and "Warzone."[23] Expanding internationally, The Wanted achieved breakthrough success in the United States with "Glad You Came," which peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 2012, boosted by a cover on the TV series Glee.[26] This led to a US EP release and arena tours, including the 16-date Behind Bars Tour in the UK (March–April 2011) and a North American headline tour in 2012. The band's third album, Word of Mouth (2013), reached number nine in the UK and featured singles like "We Own the Night" and "Show Me Love (America)," though it underperformed compared to predecessors amid growing competition from acts like One Direction.[23] Amid their rising profile, The Wanted starred in the E! reality series The Wanted Life in 2013, which documented their relocation to Los Angeles for album promotion and personal lives, airing for one season and highlighting George's charismatic role within the group.[27] The band embarked on further tours, including the Code Tour in 2013 across the UK and Europe, performing to sold-out crowds.[28] By 2014, after releasing a greatest hits compilation, internal tensions and solo pursuits led to an indefinite hiatus announcement in January, effectively ending the initial era, though George credited the experience with shaping his career as a performer.[29]Post-hiatus activities and reunions
Following the release of their third studio album Word of Mouth in 2013, The Wanted announced an indefinite hiatus in early 2014, allowing members to pursue individual projects.[30] Max George, who had been tipped as a potential solo artist, focused initially on acting and television opportunities while releasing solo singles including "Barcelona" in 2018 and "Better On Me" in 2019, and expressing ongoing interest in music collaborations.[1][30] By 2018, the band members remained active in entertainment but had not reunited, with George emphasizing personal growth during the break.[28] Reunion discussions gained momentum in 2020 amid the band's tenth anniversary, though plans were delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.[31] George and Tom Parker actively pushed for a full comeback, with George later revealing he had been advocating for it since 2014.[32] The group finally reconvened in September 2021 for a performance at the Stand Up to Cancer telethon, marking their first joint appearance in seven years and supporting Parker's brain cancer treatment.[31] This event was followed by additional one-off shows, including a 2022 gig at the O2 Arena in London shortly after Parker's death from glioblastoma in March of that year.[33] In 2024, George and Siva Kaneswaran launched "The Wanted 2.0," a duo project performing the band's hits without the other original members, who cited scheduling conflicts.[34] George admitted the pairing was unexpected, as he and Kaneswaran had not been particularly close during the band's active years.[34] The tour faced setbacks, including cancellations of UK dates in September due to unspecified circumstances and a postponement in February 2025 following George's recovery from heart surgery in late 2024.[35][36] Despite these challenges, George returned to performing in October 2025, reuniting onstage with Kaneswaran for U.S. shows in Las Vegas as part of The Wanted 2.0 tour, which incorporated Wanted material.[37] However, tensions emerged within the group, with George and Nathan Sykes reportedly unfollowing each other on social media in late 2025 amid a failed attempt at a full band reunion.[38]Other ventures
Modeling and endorsements
In 2013, Max George became the face of Buffalo David Bitton's fall advertising campaign, starring alongside model Hannah Davis to promote the brand's denim line. The campaign, photographed in a rustic setting, featured George in jeans and casual attire, marking his first major foray into fashion modeling as a member of The Wanted.[39] Later that year, George expanded his collaboration with Buffalo, appearing in the brand's "In the Buff" Winter 2013 underwear campaign. The shoot, set at a New York estate, showcased him shirtless in various poses to highlight the underwear collection, emphasizing his physique and contributing to the brand's lifestyle appeal. This series of campaigns positioned George as a spokesmodel for Buffalo, blending his music career with commercial fashion opportunities.[40] In September 2020, George signed with Elite Model Management in London, entering professional modeling representation. There, he is handled by Kirsty Reilly for commercial inquiries and Alex Babahmadi for fashion bookings, opening doors to further endorsement deals and brand partnerships in the post-hiatus phase of his music career.[41]Acting roles
George began pursuing acting after The Wanted's initial hiatus in 2014, relocating to Los Angeles to focus on the craft. His first major television role came in the sixth and final season of the Fox musical comedy series Glee, where he portrayed Clint, the cocky leader of rival glee club Vocal Adrenaline. Appearing in six episodes from January to March 2015, George's character was introduced as a bully who clashes with the McKinley High show choir during national competitions.[42] Following his Glee stint, George returned to the UK and took on smaller film roles. In 2021, he appeared as a lifeguard in the romantic comedy Me, Myself and Di, a low-budget indie film directed by David Morris and starring Chris Fondacaro and Lucy Pinder. The movie, set in Rhyl, Wales, follows a hapless businessman on a road trip with Princess Diana's bodyguard, with George's brief role contributing to the film's lighthearted coastal antics.[43] That same year, George ventured into interactive media with the full-motion video (FMV) game Bloodshore, developed by Wales Interactive. He voiced and performed as Gav, a contestant in a dystopian battle royale streamed for entertainment, blending acting with choice-driven gameplay. The title, released on multiple platforms including PlayStation and PC, featured George alongside other performers in live-action sequences depicting high-stakes survival challenges.[44] In 2024, George was cast as Jamie, the assistant manager, in the UK touring production of Kay Mellor's The Syndicate, an adaptation of the BBC sitcom about lottery-winning supermarket workers. However, he withdrew from the production before its premiere on April 8 due to unforeseen medical reasons.[45] In 2025, following his recovery from heart surgery, George starred as Parson Nathaniel opposite Maisie Smith as Beth in the arena tour of Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds – The Spirit of Man, which began in March.[46]Television and reality shows
Max George has made several appearances on British and American reality television, often leveraging his fame from The Wanted to participate in competitive and survival formats. These shows have showcased his physical challenges and personal reflections, particularly following the band's hiatus.[47] In 2013, George starred in the E! reality series The Wanted Life, which followed the band members during their U.S. promotional activities and daily lives ahead of their third album release. The eight-episode program, which premiered in June, highlighted the group's dynamics and career pressures in Los Angeles.[48][49] George's first major British reality outing came in 2015 on ITV's Bear Grylls: Mission Survive, a survival challenge series set in the Costa Rican rainforest. As one of eight celebrities, he faced tasks like building shelters and navigating terrain under Bear Grylls' guidance but was the first eliminated after struggling with endurance tests, including consuming insects.[50][51] In 2020, he competed on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing series 18, partnered with professional dancer Dianne Buswell. The singer performed routines including a jive to "I'm a Believer" by The Monkees and a couples' choice to the Simpsons theme, earning praise for his quickstep but exiting in week four after a dance-off against Maisie Smith. George later credited the experience with aiding his mental health recovery.[47][52][53] George returned to reality TV in 2022 on ITV's The Games, a week-long sports competition at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre. Among 12 celebrities, he participated in events like rowing and pole vaulting, finishing tenth overall despite an early injury, and dedicated his efforts to late bandmate Tom Parker.[54] His most recent appearance was in 2023 on Channel 4's Scared of the Dark, hosted by Danny Dyer, where eight celebrities spent five days in a pitch-black bunker facing psychological challenges. George opened up about Parker's death and his own struggles with alcohol, voluntarily quitting in the finale after emotional discussions.[55][56][57]Radio and presenting
In July 2021, Max George joined Hits Radio as the host of Friday Night Hits, a new Friday evening program airing from 7 to 10 p.m. across the Hits Radio Network.[58] This marked his debut in radio presenting, where he played popular tracks, shared music insights, and engaged with listeners through interactive segments.[59] George debuted on air on 9 July 2021, expressing enthusiasm for connecting with audiences beyond his music career.[60] The show featured a mix of contemporary hits, guest interviews, and themed playlists, aligning with George's background in pop music.[59] He continued hosting Friday Night Hits for several years, contributing to the station's evening lineup while balancing his commitments with The Wanted and acting projects.[58] By September 2025, George had stepped down from regularly hosting Friday Night Hits but remained affiliated with Hits Radio, with plans to appear on future programs.[1] During his tenure, he occasionally guested on other Hits Radio shows, such as the Breakfast program, discussing personal milestones like sobriety and band reunions.[61]Personal life
Relationships and engagements
Max George was engaged to English actress Michelle Keegan from June 2011 to June 2012. The couple, both from Manchester, began dating in December 2010 after being introduced by mutual friends. George proposed to Keegan during a romantic holiday in Mexico just seven months into their relationship, and she accepted immediately. Their engagement was publicly confirmed in April 2012, with Keegan expressing excitement about their future together.[62][63][64] The engagement ended abruptly in June 2012, less than a year after the proposal, amid reports of George's struggles with excessive alcohol consumption and the demands of his touring schedule with The Wanted. George later reflected that his drinking habits contributed significantly to the breakup, describing it as a challenging period in his life. Keegan has since married former TOWIE star Mark Wright in 2015, while George moved on to other relationships.[65][66] Following the split from Keegan, George had a brief romantic encounter with actress Lindsay Lohan in 2013 while in Los Angeles, though it was described as a short-lived fling rather than a serious relationship. He then dated model Carrie Baker from around 2014 to 2019, a five-year relationship that ended over the phone; Baker later revealed she had suffered a miscarriage during their time together. In 2019, George began dating Stacey Giggs, the former wife of footballer Ryan Giggs, after being introduced by mutual friends; the relationship, which included periods of separation and reconciliation, ended in August 2022 following rumors of infidelity during his time on Strictly Come Dancing.[67][66][68] George has been in a relationship with actress and singer Maisie Smith since August 2022. The pair first met in 2020 as professional partners on the eighteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing, where their partnership was platonic and focused on competition; romance developed nearly two years later after they reconnected as friends. Despite a 13-year age gap, their bond strengthened through shared experiences, including George's health challenges, with Smith providing significant support during his heart surgery in 2024. As of November 2025, the couple remains together, with Smith describing their connection as deeper than ever following his recovery. Engagement rumors surfaced in late 2022 after they introduced their families during a holiday, but no official confirmation has been made.[69][70][71]Health challenges
In December 2024, Max George was hospitalized after experiencing severe fatigue and feeling "really unwell," leading to the discovery of an atrioventricular heart block, a condition that disrupts the electrical signals between the heart's upper and lower chambers, causing abnormally slow heartbeats.[72][73] His heart rate dropped as low as 26 beats per minute, prompting emergency intervention.[74] On December 18, 2024, he underwent surgery to implant a pacemaker, which successfully stabilized his condition, though he remained in the hospital over the Christmas period for monitoring.[72][73] George later reflected that the timely diagnosis likely prevented a fatal outcome, stating, "I count myself very lucky that this was caught when it was."[72] Complications arose shortly after the initial procedure when the pacemaker's wires, embedded too deeply, caused a persistent "flickering sensation" and electric shocks in his chest.[75][73] This necessitated a second heart surgery on January 15, 2025, during which the wires were removed and repositioned under sedation; the two-hour operation carried risks including potential bleeding on the heart.[75][73] Post-surgery, George endured intense chest pain and coughed up blood for five days, exacerbating his anxiety about further complications.[75] On January 17, 2025, he underwent a lung biopsy to investigate enlarged lymph nodes, a painful procedure involving a camera and prongs that posed a risk to his vocal cords.[75][73] The biopsy diagnosed myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, which doctors anticipated would resolve within weeks to months.[75] By February 17, 2025, George received medical clearance following these interventions, expressing optimism about his recovery despite the setbacks: "It’s been a setback, but it’s just one of those things… I’m sure I’ll be back on top form in no time!"[75] However, in March 2025, he required another hospital admission after experiencing a recurring "flicking" sensation in his chest, linked to the prior heart surgeries.[76] In September 2025, George was hospitalized again amid ongoing recovery from his heart operations. He has since recovered and returned to performing, including a U.S. gig in Las Vegas in October 2025.[77][78] Throughout this period, George maintained sobriety for over five years, ruling out alcohol as a contributing factor, and focused on gradual rehabilitation to resume his professional activities.[72][73]Filmography
Film credits
Max George made his feature film debut in the 2021 British comedy Me, Myself and Di, where he portrayed a lifeguard in a supporting role.[79] The film, directed by Chris Green and written by Samantha Lloyd, follows Janet, a hopeless romantic who wins a trip to a caravan park in Rhyl, North Wales, and is convinced by her best friend to pretend to be more outgoing in hopes of finding holiday romance.[79][80]| Year | Title | Role | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Bloodshore | Gav | John McPhail[81] |
| 2021 | Me, Myself and Di | Lifeguard | Chris Green[79] |
Television credits
Max George's television career encompasses both scripted acting roles and numerous appearances on reality and competition formats, often leveraging his fame from The Wanted to participate in high-profile British shows. His breakthrough acting credit came in the musical comedy series Glee, where he portrayed the antagonist Clint, leader of the rival glee club Vocal Adrenaline, across six episodes in the show's sixth and final season. Beyond acting, George has been a prominent figure in reality television, starring in his band's E! docuseries The Wanted Life as himself and serving as a producer, which chronicled the group's U.S. endeavors over seven episodes.[27] In 2015, George competed on ITV's survival challenge Bear Grylls: Mission Survive, where he was the first celebrity eliminated after struggling with jungle tasks in Costa Rica, raising awareness for endurance under duress. He later joined the eighteenth series of BBC's Strictly Come Dancing in 2020, partnered with professional dancer Dianne Buswell, performing routines like the jive and American smooth before exiting in week six via public vote.[47] George's reality TV engagements continued into 2023 with Channel 4's experimental format Scared of the Dark, a bunker-based survival show in complete darkness, from which he voluntarily withdrew in the finale after emotionally discussing the death of bandmate Tom Parker. That same year, he showcased competitive sides on various quiz and culinary programs. On BBC's Celebrity MasterChef, George competed in the eighteenth series, navigating cooking challenges despite admitting limited kitchen skills, which he humorously attributed to fibbing about his abilities to secure a spot. He also appeared on ITV's Tipping Point: Lucky Stars, teaming with politician Jess Phillips and actress Linda Robson to win £6,900 for The Brain Tumour Charity in tribute to Parker, whom he credited with inspiring his participation. Additionally, George joined BBC Two's Richard Osman's House of Games in series seven, week six, testing general knowledge alongside contestants like Scarlette Douglas and Susie McCabe over five episodes.[82]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | The Wanted Life | Self (also producer) | E! reality series; 7 episodes following the band's U.S. tour and daily life.[27] |
| 2015 | Glee | Clint | Fox musical series; recurring role in 6 episodes of season 6 as Vocal Adrenaline's cocky leader. |
| 2015 | Bear Grylls: Mission Survive | Self | ITV survival competition; eliminated first after Costa Rican rainforest challenges.[83] |
| 2020 | Strictly Come Dancing (series 18) | Self (contestant) | BBC dance competition; partnered with Dianne Buswell; reached week 6.[84] |
| 2023 | Celebrity MasterChef (series 18) | Self (contestant) | BBC cooking competition; featured in episode 4 with tasks like intricate desserts.[85] |
| 2023 | Scared of the Dark | Self (contestant) | Channel 4 darkness survival show; withdrew in finale episode.[86] |
| 2023 | Tipping Point: Lucky Stars (series 12) | Self (contestant) | ITV quiz game; won £6,900 for charity with team in episode 3.[87] |
| 2023 | Richard Osman's House of Games (series 7) | Self (contestant) | BBC quiz panel; competed in week 6 across 5 episodes.[82] |
Discography
The Wanted releases
The Wanted, the British-Irish boy band featuring Max George, released three studio albums during their active years from 2010 to 2013, along with one extended play (EP), one compilation album, and 13 singles, primarily through Geffen and Island Records. Their discography achieved significant commercial success in the UK and internationally, with two number-one singles on the UK Singles Chart and multiple top-ten hits. The band's music blended pop, dance, and electropop elements, contributing to over 10 UK top-ten singles overall.[23][88] The debut studio album, The Wanted, marked their entry into the music scene and spawned three top-20 UK singles, establishing their popularity. Follow-up albums Battleground and Word of Mouth continued this momentum, with the latter featuring collaborations and a broader international push, including releases in the US market. In 2021, following a reunion announcement, they issued a greatest hits compilation that revisited their catalog including two new original tracks, "Rule the World" and "Colours". An EP, The Wanted, was released exclusively in the US to capitalize on growing American interest.[23][88][89] Key singles like "Glad You Came" became global hits, reaching number one in the UK for two weeks and peaking at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100, driven by strong digital sales and radio airplay. Other notable tracks, such as "Chasing the Sun" and "I Found You," also charted well internationally, particularly in the US where the band aimed to expand their fanbase.[90][91]Studio Albums
| Title | Release Date | UK Peak Position | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Wanted | 25 October 2010 | 4 | Geffen |
| Battleground | 4 November 2011 | 5 | Island |
| Word of Mouth | 4 November 2013 | 9 | Island |
Extended Plays
| Title | Release Date | US Peak Position | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Wanted | 24 April 2012 | 7 (Billboard 200) | Mercury |
Compilation Albums
| Title | Release Date | UK Peak Position | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Wanted: The Greatest Hits | 12 November 2021 | 8 | Universal |
Singles
| Title | Release Year | UK Peak Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Time Low | 2010 | 1 | Debut single; number one for one week |
| Heart Vacancy | 2010 | 2 | From debut album |
| Lose My Mind | 2010 | 19 | From debut album |
| Gold Forever | 2011 | 3 | Charity single for Comic Relief |
| Glad You Came | 2011 | 1 | Global hit; number three on US Billboard Hot 100 |
| Lightning | 2011 | 2 | From Battleground |
| Warzone | 2011 | 21 | From Battleground |
| Chasing the Sun | 2012 | 2 | Peaked at 50 on US Billboard Hot 100 |
| I Found You | 2012 | 3 | Collaboration with Nina Sky; peaked at 89 on US Billboard Hot 100 |
| Walks Like Rihanna | 2013 | 4 | From Word of Mouth |
| We Own the Night | 2013 | 10 | From Word of Mouth; peaked at 94 on US Billboard Hot 100 |
| Could This Be Love | 2013 | 77 | Promotional single |
| Show Me Love (America) | 2013 | 8 | Cover; from Word of Mouth |