Max George seen for first time since heart surgery and ex-Michelle Keegan's pregnancy news

Singer Max George has been spotted out and about for the first time since leaving hospital.

The Wanted hitmaker's festive season took a dark turn last month when he was admitted to hospital shortly before Christmas Day after an alarming detection of an irregular heartbeat. Max, 36, underwent a life-saving procedure which saw him fitted with a pacemaker.

Max was all smiles as he was seen in public for the first time post-operation as he enjoyed a with his mum Barbara George and his beloved pitfall dog Albert, near his mother's house in Salford. The star was laughing and joking with his mum and appeared to be in good spirits as he braved the cold for a crisp winter walk.

Wrapped up warm in a camouflage print dry robe and a black New York Yankees beanie hat, Max and mum Barbara enjoyed some quality time together following his recent health scare. Since leaving hospital the Glad You Came singer has been providing fans with updates about his recovery journey. On New Year's Day, Max took to social media, sharing a heartfelt collage of images: from energetic stage performances to intimate moments with his girlfriend Maisie Smith, the poignant scar from his operation, and the sobering visuals of his hospital stay.

Emotionally, Max penned: "2024.. Certainly a year I won't forget! So lucky to have the life that I have. I can't wait for the next chapter, no matter what challenges lie ahead." He expressed his hopeful sentiment for both himself and his fans, saying: "I wish everyone an amazing night tonight.. and that 2025 brings you good health and the best year!"

The Strictly Come Dancing star had previously confided to followers about the 'block' in his heart, revealing that his surgical procedure lasted approximately two and a half hours. Accompanying his posts was a photo of Max showcasing the surgery scar just beneath a tattoo marking the birth date of Tom Parker, his dear friend and bandmate who passed away in March 2022.

Max has been spending quality time with his girlfriend Maisie and their beloved dog since he got back home. However, earlier this week the star battled another health hurdle as he seeks advice about pacemakers ahead of a hospital visit. Sharing his concerns on Instagram, Max said: "Hey guys, hope you're good. Just a little update and... well, actually, a question for those of you that have been in touch that have a pacemaker done."

He explained his symptoms: "I'm in the hospital tomorrow for another check-up because I've been getting this like flicking feeling in the left hand side of my chest. I'm actually getting it now. And I was wondering if you guys maybe knew what that might be or you've experienced it yourself, cause the doctors aren't too sure."

Max went on to say: "So hopefully it will be... y'know maybe it's touching a nerve and it will go away in time, or they may have to move the wires slightly but I'm all ears because all I'm doing at the moment is y'know doing research and stuff cause I know nothing about pacemakers. This came completely out of the blue. So any information that I can get would be much appreciated. [...] Thanks again guys."

Max shared an update about his health last month, expressing gratitude for his new pacemaker: "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. 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. The surgeon kindly put my pacemaker just underneath a very special tattoo of mine.. So I'm sure it's being looked after. 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."

In a video shared late on Christmas Eve, Max said he was waiting for his girlfriend, actress Maisie Smith, to join him, describing it as the "best present ever". He got to know former EastEnders star Maisie, 23, when they both competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2020, but they said their romance began in 2022.

Former soap star Maisie is starring in a pantomime production of Beauty And The Beast at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury, Kent. She performed on Christmas Eve, with her next show scheduled for Boxing Day afternoon. In another clip shared from his hospital bed earlier in the day, Max said he was feeling "knackered" but that his "numbers are way better". Few more tests to do over the next couple of weeks, something to do with my lungs, but that’s the least of my worries right now. All good, bit battered and bruised and knackered, but…" he added as he gave a thumbs up to the camera.

Prior to finding love with Maisie, Max was once in another high-profile relationship with a fellow star. The singer and former Coronation Street actress Michelle Keegan - who recently announced she is pregnant - were once the IT couple in the showbiz world and were even engaged to be married before ending their love story in 2012.

The couple, 24 and 23 at that time, started dating back in 2010, going public with the romance come December. Prior to the announcement, Max let slip to New! magazine about their budding love life: "Yes, we are seeing each other. She's just beautiful. She's an awesome girl. She's a funny girl - and I love her accent too... it's early days though."

They were caught up in love's fast lane, with Max proposing by June 2011, only half a year post-meeting. But as quick as they had skyrocketed to engagement, by January 2012, it all crumbled down; their £250,000 celeb-packed wedding never to be. 'Hectic work schedules' were publicly blamed, insiders claiming the couple agreed to pump the brakes on their relationship after a rocky few months.

Whispers of Max being unfaithful also surfaced, heightened when snaps emerged of him kissing another woman on a Newcastle night out. Max has candidly revealed that his 'serious drinking problem' played a key role in the downfall of his relationship, stating they had already split before he was pictured kissing another woman. Speaking to The Sun, Max confessed: "I had a real problem with drinking too much and that was, without doubt, the downfall of our relationship. I was drinking more to forget the fact I was with someone who wasn't making me that happy."

He added, regarding his past engagement to Michelle: "Michelle is seen as like Britain's Sweetheart nowadays. I understand it might have looked as if there was something to hide, [but] there was no betrayal in terms of cheating." Reflecting on their relationship, Max said: "I tried to kid myself it would work out OK, but the moment she said she didn't want to be engaged anymore, I knew that something was wrong. It was a whirlwind. I don't regret it because you shouldn't regret anything you do. You learn."

Michelle went on to date The Only Way Is Essex star Mark Wright, 37, and the pair tied the knot in lavish ceremony back in May 2015. Almost ten years on, they are now starting a family together - with Michelle managing to cleverly hide her growing baby bump over recent weeks before announcing her pregnancy to fans on December 29.

Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads