AceShowbiz - Max George, 36, has shared a photo of the scar from his recent emergency heart surgery, which lasted for 2.5 hours. The surgery was necessary to implant a pacemaker due to a 2:1 atrioventricular block, a condition that causes electrical impulses to be delayed or blocked from reaching the ventricles of the heart.

During the surgery, some of George's veins collapsed, which caused issues. However, the NHS surgeons and nurses were able to successfully implant the pacemaker. George expressed his gratitude to the medical team, stating that he owes them everything.

The former member of The Wanted said of his new pacemaker and successful surgery, "This is the best Christmas present I could have ever wished for."

The pacemaker is a small, battery-powered device that prevents the heart from beating too slowly. George will have to undergo further tests due to inflamed lymph nodes on his lungs, but he is confident that he will be able to resume his daily activities soon.

Prior to the procedure, he took to Instagram to share his positive outlook despite the difficult journey ahead, "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."

George's surgery comes after he lost his bandmate, Tom Parker, to a rare brain tumor in 2022. George had previously been diagnosed with alcoholism and liver problems, but those issues have since been ruled out as the cause of his heart condition.