Maisie Smith, 23, 'will make a 500-mile trip on Christmas Day' to see boyfriend Max George, 36, after his heart surgery

Maisie Smith has vowed to see boyfriend Max George on Christmas Day, despite the long 500-mile trip to see him.

Max had a pacemaker fitted after undergoing emergency heart surgery on Saturday, which lasted 2.5 hours.

The Wanted star, 36, who has been in hospital for a week suffering from a 2:1 atrioventricular block, shared a picture of his new scar, which is next to a 'special tattoo'.

An atrioventricular block is a disorder that occurs when electrical impulses are delayed or blocked from reaching the ventricles.

But the EastEnders star, 23, who is currently starring in the pantomime in Kent, is adamant she will see her boyfriend in person.

According to The Sun, Maisie said: 'We’re still talking everyday and FaceTiming. I’m still trying to be there as much as I can be.

'I’ve got Christmas day off, so I’ll be going to see him. We’re not 100 per cent sure where he’ll be spending Christmas at this point in time, but whatever happens we’ll be together.'

She added: 'He seems in happier spirits. It was lovely to see him because we’re quite far away from each other, so it was lovely to see him and his family.'

Max shared an update with his Instagram followers after his surgery, revealing some of his veins collapsed during surgery, causing 'issues'.

Max said: 'Say hello to my little friend! Given the last 10 days, this is the best Christmas present I could’ve 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 surgeons and nurses at the NHS have been incredible. I owe everything to them.

'The surgeon kindly put my pacemaker just underneath a very special tattoo of mine.. So I’m sure it’s being looked after.'

A pacemaker is a small, battery-powered device that prevents the heart from beating too slowly. 

Max added: '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.'

Max previously revealed he was set to undergo surgery sooner than expected because his heart rate has 'failed to pick up'.

Taking to his Instagram Stories, the singer appeared exhausted as he spoke with his followers and told them he would soon be wheeled into theatre.

'Just prepping for the operation now, I feel like s**t, but fingers crossed'. 

It was revealed Maisie has been struggling to juggle performing in a pantomime with seeing him - who is 'on her mind 24/7'.

An insider told The Sun: 'It's been a really worrying and distressing time for Max and Maisie. 

'All she wants to do is be by his bedside day and night but she's committed to her panto show and doesn't want to let anyone down.

'She's done her best to be able to visit him when hospital visiting hours allow, but it's been a real struggle juggling everything.

'Max is on her mind 24/7 and she wants more than anything for him to be better as soon as possible.'

It comes after Max begged his heart monitor to increase before it appeared to switch off as he shared a new video from his hospital bed last Sunday. 

He shared a new video of himself lying in bed while watching his heart rate hand-sized monitor move from 35 to 34 to 38 before he wagged his finger begging, 'go up!' 

The number then dropped to 37 and the star suggested he is looking for some excitement to help his heart rate increase.

He penned: 'Come on @mancity.. Sort me out will ya?!!'

However, the device then appeared to switch itself off, leaving Max to exhale, 'Brilliant'.

Talking about his pacemaker and pointing to his chest, he said: 'So latest is that 100 per cent I'm going to have a little friend put in here at some point.

'Erm, I've got an issue with the bottom part of my heart, it's called a block. The tricky bit is what I have put in because until I have further tests we don't know what caused it.' 

The Glad You Came hitmaker noted it is all a 'mystery' what has happened to him, although doctors have been able to eliminate some possible causes.

Max said: 'It's a bit of a mystery really, but that's the hard bit. It's the waiting. My heart rate is really, really low. They're monitoring it 24/7, everyone has been amazing.

'But the waiting bit is tough. It's just one of them things unfortunately. Whatever I get, I've got to get on with it. We're hoping pacemaker, a pacemaker is good.'

In his initial post to Instagram, Max revealed he will be spending Christmas in hospital.

He wrote on Instagram: '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!

'But, as always, I'm surrounded with love and support from my wonderful partner Maisie, her family, my family and friends.. and I'm 100% in the best place.

'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.

'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!'