Max George is seen for the first time in his first ever theatre role as he prepares to make his stage debut in The Syndicate.
The Wanted hunk, 35, stars as supermarket assistant Jamie alongside former Coronation Street actress Brooke Vincent, 31, who plays his sister-in-law Amy.
The comedy drama is based on the hit BBC One series, The Syndicate, which tells the story of five supermarket workers whose lottery syndicate numbers come in, just as their jobs and livelihoods are under threat.
It’s the final play created by legendary writer Kay Mellor, who was also behind Fat Friends, and also stars former Emmerdale favourite Samantha Giles, 52, as Denise, and is directed by ex-soap star Gaynor Faye, Kay’s daughter.
The production is Max’s first foray into acting since his 2015 appearance in US series Glee.
Max George is seen for the first time in his first ever theatre role as he prepares to make his stage debut in The Syndicate
The Wanted hunk stars as supermarket assistant Jamie alongside former Coronation Street actress Brooke Vincent, who plays his sister-in-law Amy
The comedy drama is based on the hit BBC One series, The Syndicate, which tells the story of five supermarket workers whose lottery numbers come in, just as their jobs are under threat
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 role 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 last year.
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.’
Former EastEnders star Maisie will be able to pass on some tips to Max ahead of his stage debut, as she’s previously tread the boards starring in Strictly Ballroom.
The singer hugely impressed in his audition for The Syndicate, which kicks off on April 11 in Richmond Theatre and runs for 14 weeks, according to Gaynor, 52, who is full of praise for the show’s cast.
The singer stars in the new stage show alongside Corrie actress Brook and Emmerdale favourite Samantha Giles
George appeared on the 2020 series of Strictly, finishing ninth alongside partner Dianne Buswell, before competing in 2022 ITV series The Games and Channel 4’s Scared of the Dark
The year Max performed on Strictly, he was invited on the show’s nationwide tour which was when he struck up a romance with co-star Maisie Smith and the pair now live together
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’
She said: ‘I’m thrilled to welcome these three super talented actors to the UK tour of The Syndicate.
‘I’ve worked with Sam a lot over the years and she’s great fun and a brilliant comedy actor, who’s perfect for the role of Denise.
‘Brooke is also a wonderful actor with a huge heart, we first met through our charity work for When You Wish Upon A Star and I know she’s going to be a fantastic, feisty Amy. Max blew us away in his audition, he’s a natural and born to play Jamie.
‘I know that my mum would be delighted with the brilliant cast we have assembled so far and I can’t wait for you all to see them in action.’
Brooke added: ‘I am so excited to be back on stage and thrilled to be working with Gaynor on The Syndicate. Kay was such a legend and the TV series was brilliant.
‘She has written a brilliantly vibrant character in Amy and I can’t wait to get on the road and get my teeth into the role on stage.’
- For tickets visit The Syndicate play website
Director Gaynor Faye says she was ‘blown away’ by Max’s audition and was ‘born to play Jamie’
