Latest news with #MaxGeorge
Scotsman
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
‘Gastro-Glasto' visits Edinburgh with a star-studded line up of music headliners and TV chefs
From August 1-3, the UK's largest touring celebrity food and music festival will bring together an extraordinary line-up of TV celebs, Michelin-starred chefs, celebrity bakers, and live music from chart-topping headliners, Scouting For Girls, The Wanted's Max George and Siva Kaneswaran presenting The Wanted 2.0 and the majestic Symphonic Ibiza Orchestra. Dubbed the "Gastro-Glastonbury," Foodies Festival is not just about food—it's about experiencing culinary artistry at its finest. Attendees can look forward to live cooking demonstrations from top TV chefs and personalities, including: MasterChef champion and National Chef of Scotland, Gary Maclean, International best selling author, ITV This Morning and BBC Travel Show contributor, The Hebridean Baker, Great British Menu 2024 winner, Ben Palmer, Great British Menu star, Jak O'Donnell, MasterChef: The Professionals finalist, Dean Banks, from Michelin recommended The Pompadour, Chef, Derek McMillan, from Michelin-starred, Condita, Events Chef of the Year and highly commended at the Scottish Excellence award, Barry Bryson from Barry Fish and MasterChef: The Professionals, Rohan Wadke. Foodies Festival offers several interactive live theatres, including the Chefs Theatre, where you can watch your favourite culinary stars prepare their signature dishes. In the Cake & Desserts Theatre, prepare for indulgence as patisserie experts and star bakers create mouth-watering sweet treats. For families, the Kids Cookery School will bring the joy of cooking to younger visitors, where they can learn how to make delicious dishes to take home. Meanwhile, the Fire Stage will light up the weekend with fiery BBQ masterclasses from Dragons' Den success story Lumberjaxe. Test yourself against the best or watch the fun unfold at the daily Hot Chilli Challenge. A feast for the senses: music and more Foodies Festival isn't just about the food—there's also a stellar music line-up that will have you dancing as you dine. Multi-platinum selling festival favourites, Scouting For Girls, performing a high-energy set packed with their many top 40 hits. The Wanted 2.0 with Max George and Siva Kaneswaren presenting the next chapter in the history of The Wanted, one of Britain's biggest ever pop bands, achieving over 20 million record sales worldwide and topping the charts multiple times. And the legendary Symphonic Ibiza, will perform an unforgettable fusion of dance anthems, with live vocals, a sensational DJ and exhilarating live orchestra. Superb Scottish acts will also performing throughout the weekend. This year, Foodies Festival introduces the Great Taste Market, where festival-goers can discover new flavours and celebrate the art of good food. Also new to the event, the International Cook School, where you can learn new techniques from top chefs and take home a dish you've prepared yourself. Classes include an indulgent Lobster, Basil & Lemon Risotto and an exotic Moroccan Harissa Spiced Lamb, so make sure you schedule one of the fun yet education sessions into your day. Other activities include a Silent Disco, fairground rides, and family-friendly areas Inverleith Park, Edinburgh 1st, 2nd, 3rd August For line-up, schedules and tickets visit: 3 . Contributed Artisan producers in the shopping village Photo: Submitted Photo Sales 4 . Contributed Celebrity and award-winning chefs and bakers will appear Photo: Submitted Photo Sales Related topics: EdinburghMichelin
Scottish Sun
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Boyband will perform two Scots shows in just weeks for the first time since bandmate died
They will be joined by festival favourites Scouting For Girls and the Symphonic Ibiza BACK AT IT Boyband will perform two Scots shows in just weeks for the first time since bandmate died Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A FAMOUS boyband is set to reunite for the first time in Scotland since their bandmate's tragic death. The Wanted 2.0, now made up of Max George and Siva Kaneswaran, will take to the stage at the Foodies Festival in Edinburgh and Glasgow as part of the UK tour. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 The Wanted last performed in Scotland in 2022 Credit: Getty 3 Bandmates Max George and Siva Kaneswaran will play two Scots shows in the coming weeks Credit: Splash 3 Tragic Tom Parker died after a brave battle with brain cancer aged 33 in March 2022 Credit: AP It's the first time the duo will perform north of the border since the devastating loss of their bandmate Tom Parker, who died in March 2022 after a brave battle with brain cancer. Fans of the Glad You Came hitmakers can catch them at Edinburgh's Inverleith Park on Saturday, August 2, and Glasgow's Rouken Glen Park on Saturday, August 10, as part of the three-day extravaganzas packed with celebrity chefs, cooking demos and top-tier live music. The Wanted 2.0 will be joined by festival favourites Scouting For Girls and the sensational Symphonic Ibiza. The band last performed in Scotland in 2022, just weeks before Tom's heartbreaking death at the age of 33. Max and Siva reunited with bandmates Nathan Sykes, Jay McGuiness and Tom Parker for a greatest hits album and a one-off reunion show in 2021, which was followed by an emotional tour in early 2022. The final gig, in Liverpool, took place just two weeks before Tom tragically passed away. Reflecting on the tour, Nathan said: 'Obviously you'd give anything for it not to have happened. 'But, equally, I'm so grateful that we were able to have that time given that it did happen." However, a four-piece reunion with Nathan and Jay seems unlikely. Nathan, who is now focusing on his solo career, said: 'I'm really happy for them. Max George shares health update as he leaves hospital after latest surgery 'They get a lot of enjoyment in performing the music, and they see it as a tribute to Tom. 'Whereas Jay and I's approach to it is that there's a lot of emotion attached to that still. And I think we would find that really difficult. 'It's just two different approaches, and neither one is wrong. 'I think it's really difficult imagining The Wanted as a four-piece because The Wanted has been and will only ever be a five-piece." Max, 36, has also had a tough journey back to the stage. The singer was fitted with a pacemaker in December after his mum, Babs, noticed he had 'turned blue' and insisted he go to A&E. Fearing he wouldn't make it through Christmas, Max even wrote out a will on his iPhone. Weeks later, he underwent a second secret surgery after the pacemaker wires were fitted too deeply, causing painful 'flickering sensations' in his chest. Max admitted the ordeal left him shaken, saying: 'The night before, I was really nervous. I didn't sleep much.' The health scare forced Max and Siva to postpone a gig at Manchester Cathedral in February, but now the pair are back and ready to hit the stage. Siva, 34, said: 'Max and I are buzzing to be joining the Foodies Festival tour in Scotland. Scottish audiences are the best! 'It's exciting to be back out performing all The Wanted hits and seeing our lovely fans again. 'We're both big food lovers and have tried some amazing cuisine around the world on our tours—but having it all in one place to try? Amazing!"
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Maisie Smith details how life has changed since boyfriend Max George's devastating open heart surgery
Soap star-turned-musical theatre actress Maisie Smith has got a new outlook on life after witnessing her boyfriend Max George go through his harrowing health ordeal. The Wanted singer Max has undergone heart surgery twice over the past year after being diagnosed with an atrioventricular block, which caused his heart to beat abnormally. Stopping for a chat with new during the Tric Awards at JW Marriott Grosvenor House hotel in London last month, Maisie, who turns 24 this week, says her boyfriend's health struggles have not only strengthened their tight bond, but transformed the choices they make in life. 'It has just made us realise how important life is and how much we've just got to live in the moment – you never know what's around the corner,' says Maisie. 'We're definitely more impulsive now and we know that anything is possible.' Maisie, who rose to fame for her role in EastEnders, which she made her debut in at just six years old, has been in a relationship with Max since 2022. The couple met in 2020 while competing on Strictly Come Dancing, striking up a friendship during the show, which saw Maisie reach the final alongside her professional dance partner Gorka Márquez. Max may not have been as successful on the dancefloor (he was voted out of Strictly in week four), but he did find lasting love with Maisie beyond the show and the pair eventually moved in together in Max's hometown, Manchester. However, in what has been an undeniably scary year for the couple, Max underwent surgery in December when his heart condition left him in need of a pacemaker. Following the operation, Max, 36, described the pacemaker as the 'best Christmas present' he could have received. But after complications from the first surgery, he was forced to go back for another procedure two months later. Sharing that it was successful, Max said at the time, 'It turned out that one of the leads was placed too far into my heart. The second pacemaker surgery took about two hours. So far, it seems to have been a success and they kindly let me listen to Oasis the whole time. It's been a setback, but it's just one of those things. I've had a few complications the last couple of months but I'm having loads of tests to make sure everything is all good. I'm sure I'll be back on top form in no time.' Maisie is clearly hugely relieved that everything is OK with him. 'Max is good – he's getting stronger every day,' she says. 'I'm so proud of how he's handled it too.' As we ask whether the situation has brought them any closer, Maisie laughs, saying, 'It was pretty hard for us to get any closer to be honest – we've always been inseparable.' Sharing that they're heading to France for a getaway this summer, it seems things are finally looking up for the duo. What began as a Strictly friendship, blossomed into romance after the pair grew closer on the show's live arena tour. Their series of Strictly was broadcast during the height of Covid, with social distancing restrictions in place, but they both joined the first post-pandemic live tour in January 2022. In the summer of that year, they were spotted on holiday together in Crete and, as anyone who follows their Instagram accounts will know, they've been smitten with each other ever since. Maisie is also busy in her professional life, which has seen her pursuing a musical theatre career, even working alongside Max. Most recently, she appeared in Jeff Wayne's Musical Version Of The War Of The Worlds with Max, where they play married couple Parson Nathaniel and his wife Beth, after Maisie played Belle in a pantomime version of Beauty And The Beast in Canterbury. So, what's next on the horizon? 'I can't actually tell you what I'm working on right now – I'm not allowed,' says Maisie. 'But I'm still loving doing theatre and that's my main focus.' As for the soap that propelled her to fame, she may have come a long way since playing Tiffany Butcher, but she maintains she still calls Albert Square home. 'I always say with EastEnders, you never know,' she says. 'Never say never about me returning. I grew up there and it is my home, but right now I'm loving doing my theatre work.' Maisie may not be planning her grand return to the soap any time soon, but she did get the chance to catch up with some former co-stars as EastEnders bagged the Soap Of The Year gong at the ceremony. With stars such as Emma Barton in attendance, she says, 'It's been great catching up with people. That's why I love award shows and things like this – you see people you haven't seen in about 10 years.' Maisie says she's also used the opportunity to spend a girlie day with her mum, Julia, who is also her manager. 'I've brought my mum along today,' she says. 'I take her everywhere.' READ MORE: Amazon slashes £24 off Olay's anti-ageing day cream that makes skin 'feel moisturised all day'
Daily Mail
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Maisie Smith lifts the lid on marriage plans with boyfriend Max George... but her mum insists she's 'too young' to wed just yet
Ex-EastEnders star Maisie Smith has lifted the lid on her plans to marry boyfriend Max George as her mum insisted that she is 'too young' right now. The 23-year-old actress has been dating former The Wanted star since 2022, and their relationship has gone from strength-to-strength. Maisie and Max, who have a 13-year age gap, live together in Manchester - but it seems the pair are in no rush to take their romance to the next level just yet. Max, 36, recently underwent life-saving heart surgery, where he had a pacemaker fitted. Despite the huge operation, Maisie has admitted they are keen to just take things slowly. She told The Sun on Sunday: 'I'm still a baby! 'We have so much time - we have got the whole world, a whole life. 'Now Max is getting better and stronger and fitter. And we are ready to start an exciting next chapter of our time together.' Maisie revealed that the op has made the couple realise that they both want to be more impulsive, have fun, travel the world, see new things and to make friends. She explained how they are in the mindset of enjoying right now and making the most of every minute. In December, Max was fitted with a pacemaker after his mum Babs realised he had 'turned blue' and pushed for him to go to A&E. He feared he would die, so at the time wrote out a will in his phone. Max, who has been sober for over four years after previous liver issues, reflected on his journey after the op. The Wanted singer explained that alcohol wasn't a factor in his condition, saying he gave up drinking after doctors flagged concerns about his liver following years of heavy partying on tour. The Glad You Came hitmaker noted it is all a 'mystery' what has happened to him, although doctors have been able to eliminate some possible causes. The loved-up duo have been inseparable since going official in August 2022 and also living together. In an Instagram post, Max shared some adorable snaps of him and his partner cuddled up on the sofa. Max captioned the trio of photos simply with: 'It's so good to be home'.
The Sun
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Maisie Smith reveals marriage plans with Max George after heart op as her mum admits reason they should NOT wed yet
WHEN The Wanted singer Max George woke up from life-saving heart surgery, his girlfriend Maisie Smith was at his bedside. But despite going through the terrifying ordeal together, former EastEnders star Maisie has revealed that the couple are in no rush to tie the knot. 5 In an exclusive interview with The Sun on Sunday, the actress said the pair, who met on Strictly Come Dancing in 2020, want to travel the world before they finally walk down the aisle. Maisie, 23, said: 'I'm still a baby! 'We have so much time — we have got the whole world, a whole life. 'Now Max is getting better and stronger and fitter. And we are ready to start an exciting next chapter of our time together.' Asked if Max's operation has put life into perspective, Maisie said: 'It really has, and I think we both want to be more impulsive, have fun, travel the world, see new things and make friends. 'It is all the things you put off because of work or stress, and we are just like, 'Do you know what? Anything could happen at any moment — let's just enjoy our life and time together'. So that is what we are doing.' Max, 36, was fitted with a pacemaker in December last year after his mum Babs realised he had 'turned blue' and pushed for him to go to A&E. Fearing he would die in hospital just days before Christmas, Max wrote out a will on his iPhone. Weeks later, he secretly went under the knife again after the device's wires were fitted too deeply, causing Max to experience 'flickering sensations'. He told The Sun on Sunday: 'I was trying to get back to good health, but was still having a flickering sensation for weeks after I had my pacemaker fitted and it was gradually getting worse and worse.' Max was told the procedure could cause a dangerous bleed on his heart, revealing: 'The night before, I was really nervous. 'I didn't sleep much.' The singer was forced to postpone The Wanted 2.0's Manchester Cathedral concert alongside bandmate Siva Kaneswaran in February due to his health setback. But in March, Max returned to the stage to play tortured priest Parson Nathaniel in a musical version of HG Wells' classic book, The War Of The Worlds. And Maisie was also by his side at the Connexin Live venue in Hull as she portrayed his wife, Beth. Asked about Max's current health at the Tric Awards in London, last month, Maisie said: 'He's good. 'He's getting stronger every day. 'We weren't even sure if he was going to be able to do The War Of The Worlds, but he's just been so strong and he's been training every day, getting his body fit and strong and ready — he's good.' Of their summer plans, Maisie added: 'We're going to go to France — it's exactly what we need. 'Just us two, I can't wait.' 'Ticks all the boxes' Maisie and Max became good friends while competing on BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing in 2020. Two years later their friendship blossomed into romance and Maisie relocated from her home town in Essex to move in with Max in Manchester. However, their 13-year age gap caused the couple to face a backlash on social media. Speaking to Fabulous magazine in 2023, Maisie said: 'If it wasn't that, it would be something else. 'People don't understand what goes on behind closed doors in a relationship, and I think they also forget that I'm a consenting 21-year-old woman who's actually been working longer than Max. 'I don't notice the age difference and neither do my friends or family. 'My mum Julia is the one who reads through all the comments. 'I got a message from her yesterday saying, 'Just ignore them, you two were made for each other'.' 5 Speaking alongside Maisie at the Tric Awards, Julia said of Max: 'He's absolutely gorgeous. 'He's charming, he's lovely, he's generous. 'He ticks all the boxes.' But Julia, who is also mum to daughter Scarlett, 28, said Maisie should concentrate on enjoying her life before saying, 'I do'. Asked if she could see the pair getting married soon, she said: 'Too young. 'It is not so much on the radar now with this generation.' Julia, who shares her daughters with husband Stephen Smith, said: 'I was married at 25, but I just don't feel like they need to go and conquer the world instead.' Yet despite finding love on the dancefloor, Maisie said Max has hung up his ballroom shoes after finishing in ninth place on the series. Maisie, who was a fan favourite on the series and took the runner-up spot, said: 'Max doesn't dance. 'I have made him do some TikTok dances, but he doesn't enjoy them.' However the actress, who released her first single, Good Thing, in 2016, said she loved singing alongside Max in The War Of The Worlds. Max shot to fame with The Wanted after they formed in 2009, and went on to have a string of hits and two UK No1 tracks with All Time Low and Glad You Came. Speaking about making music together, Maisie said: 'Do you know what? 'We actually joke about it all the time. 'But I'd never . . . he's in his band and he has his solo music. 'But if I were to do it, I'd probably be a solo artist.' She continued: 'I loved singing and being in The War Of The Worlds with him. 'It was so nice to get to train together, perform together. 'It's like, you never get to do it with your partner.' Maisie presented the award for Best Soap Actor to EastEnders actor Steve McFadden — best known for playing Phil Mitchell — at the Tric Awards. But despite her confidence on screen, Maisie said she does not intend to pursue a career as a TV or radio presenter. She admitted: 'I'll be honest with you. 'No. I can't — I get so nervous, I'm still young. 'But give me a script and I will knock it out the park!' It was in 2006 when five-year-old Maisie landed her first role as a young Elizabeth I in the movie The Other Boleyn Girl, which also starred Natalie Portman. Within two years, she had won the part of Tiffany Dean (later Butcher), daughter of Bianca (Patsy Palmer) and Ricky (Sid Owen), in EastEnders. After leaving in 2014 to focus on a pop career, Maisie returned as a regular for four years until 2022. But she said that the soap will always hold a special place in her heart after catapulting her to fame. On a return to Albert Square, she said: 'It is just one of those places that you would never say no to. 'I am never going to say I am not going to go back, but right now I am doing a lot of stage work and roles that I am really enjoying. 'But EastEnders is like home – it is the kind of place that is always going to be there.'
