The Wanted’s Max George Says He Had Pacemaker Fitted After Revealing Heart Issue: ‘Best Christmas Present’

Max George says he has received “the best Christmas present” after a recent operation.

The Wanted vocalist, 36, revealed on Instagram on Saturday, Dec. 21, that he had a pacemaker fitted after announcing weeks earlier that recent tests had found “issues” with his heart.

Alongside a photo of his new surgical scar, the musician encouraged fans to “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,” George wrote. “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.”

As George explained, the surgeon who worked on him placed the device — set to regulate his heart rate — “just underneath a very special tattoo of mine.” The ink itself reads “04.08.1998,” an apparent reference to his late bandmate Tom Parker’s birthday.

“I’m sure it’s being looked after 🤍,” George continued. “Few more tests to do due to inflamed lymph nodes on my lungs, but that’ll be easy work! 💪🏻 Time to rest and then tackle life full on once again ❤️. Thank you for all your support. It’s meant a hell of a lot to myself and my family.”

Hours before his operation, George also shared a video message with fans on his Instagram Stories, where he revealed that he felt “like s—” but had his “fingers crossed.”

Back on Dec. 12, George shared on Instagram that he was hospitalized after feeling “really unwell” the previous day. After explaining that he had issues with his heart, the musician said he needed more tests done to “determine the extent of the problems and what surgery I will need to get me back on my feet.” He added that “Christmas in a hospital bed wasn’t exactly what I had planned!”

“Although this is a huge shock and no doubt a setback, it’s something I’ll take on with all I’ve got! I count myself very lucky that this was caught when it was,” he wrote in his caption. “Apologies if I bore you with updates in the coming weeks. I’ve probably got a month in a bed and there’s not THAT much to do! 😂.”

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Days later, George revealed in another joint post with The Wanted 2.0 — his and bandmate Siva Kaneswaran’s music project and “next chapter” of their popular group — that he had a “2:1 block in my heart” and that his heart rate hadn’t “picked up at all in almost a week.” Given the surgery being planned “quicker” than he anticipated, he wrote that he may be home for Christmas after all.

“The last few nights have been really rough, but I wanted to say that I’m absolutely humbled by all your messages of support,” he added. “Both people I know and those I don’t. It’s given me a much needed boost and my family have been overwhelmed with support, which means more to me than anything.”