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Max George has revealed he will be spending Christmas in hospital to undergo heart surgery, he told fans on Thursday.
The Wanter singer, 36, who has battled alcoholism previously, admitted he is 'very lucky that this was caught when it was' as he shared the shocking health scare.
Max hasn't disclosed what condition he is suffering with.
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! But, as always, I’m surrounded with love and support by my wonderful partner Maisie [Smith], her family, my family and friends.. and I’m 100% in the best place.
Max George, 36, has revealed he is suffering 'issues with his heart' and will be spending Christmas in hospital, he told fans on Thursday
The Wanter singer admitted he is 'very lucky that this was caught when it was' as he shared the shocking health update
Max's health battle comes after his late bandmate and best friend Tom Parker died aged 33 on March 30, 2022 following an 18-month battle with brain cancer (pictured together in 2021)
The Wanted's Siva Kaneswaran, Nathan Sykes, Tom, Max and Jay McGuiness pictured in 2021
'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!
'Let’s do this! Much love, Max x'
Max has been open about his battle with binge drinking and alcoholism over the years, previously admitting he drank '10 pints and three bottles of wine in one night'.
Last year, the singer revealed he used alcohol to 'adapt' to the spotlight and to help ease his anxiety during his 'lowest ever point.'
He referenced one incident in which he consumed 10 pints and three bottles of wine in one night while out celebrating his birthday.
The binge contained roughly 38 units of alcohol. The NHS advises that men and women don't consume more than 14 units across the space of a week.
Speaking about his drinking on Channel 4's Scared Of The Dark, he said: 'I would always be p***ed before we performed. I struggled to adapt so I used to drink to make myself feel like it didn't bother me.
Max has been open about his battle with binge drinking and alcoholism over the years, previously admitting he drank '10 pints and three bottles of wine in one night'
Last year, the singer revealed he used alcohol to 'adapt' to the spotlight and to help ease his anxiety during his 'lowest ever point'
He added that he was also inspired to stop drinking after learning of Tom's (pictured) stage four glioblastoma diagnosis
Tom shared daughter Aurelia, five, and four-year-old son Bodhi with his widow Kelsey, who is now in a relationship with her new partner Will (pictured with Tom and their children in 2021)
'It's quite hard sometimes to differentiate between the anxiety and depression but mine was certainly more the anxiety side which started when the boys got to number one with All Time Low.'
Referencing his birthday binge session, he confessed: 'I was ill for a week. The doctor looked at my liver and said my liver count was pretty low, I'm not messing with my liver. So I stopped.'
He added that he was also inspired to stop drinking after learning of late bandmate Tom Parker's stage four glioblastoma diagnosis.
Tom died aged 33 on March 30, 2022 following an 18-month battle with brain cancer.
Breaking down in tears, he confessed to Paul: 'How do you deal with it? There’s no cure for that so you just sort of learn to carry on with your life I guess. But deal with it, definitely not.
'I don’t—I don’t think I’ll ever be okay with it you know. One of the last things I said to him was— I thanked him for making my life so much better than what it ever could have been, you know, like that whole journey through being in the band.
'He was my best friend. F**k. I just don’t want it to be like a burden or a thing with anyone else.'
Max previously revealed that sobriety has made life clearer, despite leaving him 'really bored at weekends'.
Max has been in a relationship with EastEnders star Maisie Smith since 2022
He said in March last year: 'I haven't drunk in 18 months, everyone says "I bet you feel well better don't you?"
'No, I just feel really bored at weekends! Just grim as usual through the week. It has been good, it's easier to keep fit… so yeah, everything's pretty clear now.'
The Wanted released a statement in January 2014 to announce they were taking time apart to 'pursue personal endeavours'.
Max's bandmate Tom was given just 12 months to live by doctors in October 2020, before his death in 2022.
Tom shared daughter Aurelia, five, and four-year-old son Bodhi with his widow Kelsey, who is now in a relationship with her new partner Will.
Max has been in a relationship with EastEnders star Maisie Smith, 23, since 2022.
The pair were due to play a married couple in Jeff Wayne's musical version of The War Of The Worlds, which will tour in 2025.
The year after he performed on Strictly, Max was invited on the dance show's nationwide tour which was when he struck up a romance with co-star Maisie.
In 2022, he was forced to defend their 13 age-gap, telling Hello! 'It never enters my mind. Maisie has already done so many things that I'm in awe of – I look up to her.'
If you're worried about your own or someone else's drinking, call Drinkline for free on 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am to 8pm, weekends 11am to 4pm).
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