Max George and his girlfriend Maisie Smith have already ruled out working together again after ‘ropey’ audition for major stage show.
The Wanted singer, 35, and former EastEnders star, 22, who met on Strictly Come Dancing in 2020, will play a married couple in Jeff Wayne’s musical version of The War Of The Worlds, which will tour in 2025.
The duo auditioned together as a couple, with Max joking during a Good Morning Britain interview: ‘First time we’ve ever done that… probably the last! It was a bit ropey in parts, but in the end, we got there.
‘We’re buzzing! We can’t wait, it’s going to be so good!’ He added: ‘Honestly, we’re so buzzing for it!’
The musical will be coming to 17 major UK arenas next March, and not-so coincidentally celebrating 130 years since the release of the original HG Wells novel.
Max George and his girlfriend Maisie Smith have already ruled out working together again after ‘ropey’ audition for major stage show
The Wanted singer, 35, and former EastEnders star, 22, who met on Strictly Come Dancing in 2020, will play a married couple in Jeff Wayne’s musical version of The War Of The Worlds, which will tour in 2025
Earlier in the day, The War of The Worlds team announced on social media: ‘We are so thrilled to announce our first two cast members performing on The Spirit of Man Tour, 2025…
‘For the first time in Martian history, a real-life couple will be performing as the married pair: The Wanted’s @maxgeorge as Parson Nathaniel and @maisiesmithofficial as Beth.
Jeff then said: ‘Being a couple in real life will add to their on-stage charisma and chemistry. Maisie has such a melodic but powerful voice, which compliments Max’s dramatic and soulful vocals wonderfully.’
Last month, Max signed to a new management company promising to make him a ‘global star’ just two weeks before mysteriously pulling out of touring theatre show The Syndicate.
The singer is still pictured on some theatre websites and multiple ticket platforms after being cast as one of The Syndicate’s star names alongside Coronation Street actress Brooke Vincent and Emmerdale ‘s Samantha Giles.
But just weeks before the show’s opening – and start of a five-month tour – Max announced he’s unable to perform due to ‘personal reasons’ and said he would be there to cheer on his former co-stars ‘once I’m feeling better.’
However, less than 24 hours after releasing the statement to his Instagram followers, Max was seen watching his beloved Manchester City play Liverpool at Anfield.
His withdrawal from The Syndicate comes after he signed a new contract with Soulheart Group, who promise to spearhead his career overseas and teased a ‘big announcement’ coming soon.
The duo auditioned together as a couple, with Max joking during a Good Morning Britain interview: ‘First time we’ve ever done that… probably the last! It was a bit ropey in parts, but in the end, we got there.’
The couple now live together in Manchester
A showbiz insider said: ‘Pulling out of the show at such short notice is bound to raise eyebrows – it’s far from ideal, especially as he appeared in all the promo.
‘But the deal for Max to join his new agency has been in the works for some time and is not connected to him quitting the tour.
‘They will be focusing on his music side which could see him restart his pop career.’
MailOnline understands that Max’s new management will be working in collaboration with Matchstick, who are the singer’s longtime representation.
Max announced his withdrawal from the show on Saturday afternoon, saying: ‘Hey everyone. Really gutted but for personal reasons I won’t be taking part in The Syndicate.
‘It’s going to be an amazing show and I wish Gaynor and all the cast all the luck in the world. I’ll be there to cheer you all on once I’m feeling better.’
The ex-Strictly star has been replaced in The Syndicate by Oliver Anthony, son of Gaynor Faye, who is directing and starring in the production, and the grandson of the show’s legendary writer Kay Mellor. Oliver appeared in series four of the BBC One Show, on which the play is based.
Max’s stage debut was set to be his first foray into acting since his 2015 appearance in US series Glee.
It comes after Max signed to a new management company promising to make him a ‘global star’ just two weeks before mysteriously pulling out of touring theatre show The Syndicate
The singer said of The Syndicate: ‘It’s going to be an amazing show and I wish all the cast all the luck in the world’
Previously speaking about his new role, Max said: ‘I’m delighted that my stage debut role is in The Syndicate.
‘I’m such a huge fan of Kay’s work and it’s an honour to be part of this world premiere tour. I feel like I’ve won the lottery.’
Aside from playing a pivotal part in boyband The Wanted’s success, Max boosted his profile in recent years by starring in a succession of reality shows.
He appeared on the 2020 series of Strictly Come Dancing, finishing ninth alongside partner Dianne Buswell, before competing in 2022 ITV series The Games and Channel 4’s Scared of the Dark.
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 Smith and the pair now live together in Manchester.
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.’
