Max George watched 'frustrated surgeons' struggle as he braved major heart operation

Max George had a pacemaker fitted in December 2024 (Image: Getty)

Terrified The Wanted singer Max George looked helplessly at the "frustrated" surgeon treating him as complications set in.

Recalling last month's health ordeal, when he turned blue and almost died after suffering sudden issues with his heart, he revealed that he'd watched his pacemaker being fitted. Although he was heavily sedated, he remained conscious throughout.

That was when he realised that his veins had collapsed to such an extent that the surgeon was struggling to complete the job. Speaking out in an interview with The Sun, he explained: "The main problem that they had when they opened me up and were trying to put the leads in was that a lot of my veins had collapsed because my heart rate was so low and I was so dehydrated all the time.

"I could see the surgeon through a window in a sheet over my head and I could see his frustrated expression." Meanwhile, his gloves were drenched in blood as the "morbid" op continued.

After finally fitting the leads successfully into his veins, they then had technical failure as they tried to detect his pacemaker's signal on an iPad. It was a heart-in-mouth moment as the technician gravely announced: "No signal" and helpless Max, who by that point was feeling weak with exhaustion, wondered if it was all over.

Max George in his hospital bed last month (Image: INSTAGRAM)

Finally the issues were resolved - and Max delightedly confirmed that he had a "proper heartbeat".

It came after his mum rushed him to A&E after his hands turned blue and he struggled to breathe.

His blood pressure and pulse rate had plummeted and his energy was running so low that he had to be rushed to the cardiology unit in a wheelchair.

No-one had expected the until then healthy 36-year-old to have heart failure - and in the ward around him were pensioners at least 30 years older than he was.

Max George with partner Maisie Smith months before his heart struggles and pacemaker op (Image: Getty)

Despite his comparative youth, things had escalated so much that the former star of The Wanted felt compelled to write a will on his phone as he lay in the hospital bed.

However, his girlfriend Maisie Smith hugely helped in the mission to revive him when they were reunited after his op.

Former EastEnders actress Maisie had been playing Belle of Beauty and the Beast on a panto tour when his heart issues began.

When they cuddled for the first time after his ordeal, he exclaimed: "Holy s***, I feel alive again!" and recognised the familiar "butterflies" of excitement from being around her.