MAISIE Smith put on a brave face as she was pictured for the first time since boyfriend Max George revealed he needs heart surgery.
The Wanted singer, 36, was rushed to hospital on Thursday after feeling unwell and subsequently learned he has an issue with his heart.
He thanked actress Maisie, 23, for being by his side and giving him love and support in a post from his hospital bed.
Last night, she was pictured smiling as she left the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury where she is performing as Belle in the Beauty and the Beast pantomime.
Eager fans approached her for selfies as she walked, and Maisie happily obliged, stopping and posing for pics.
She wrapped up in a green scarf, burgundy cap and large black coat on a chilly night in Kent.
Her appearance came hours after Max shared a worrying update with fans on Instagram.
He said: “I’ve had a bit of a rough day today.
“My heart rate dropped this morning, which was a little bit scary. But everyone here’s amazing and they managed to get it back up a little bit and get it stable again, which is great.
“A lot of friends and family are asking why I’m not just going in and having anything done yet, but there’s so many tests that need to be done before we do anything.”
“I just need to get through to next week and have all the tests done, then they’ll know exactly what to do.
“Obviously they’ll be able to do something but it’ll be better doing it with all the information they need.”
He added: “But yeah, it’s sh*te. But still here and staying positive.”
Max previously shocked fans by telling them he was “very lucky” to be alive.
Giving a thumbs up from his bed while wearing a gown, he said he was taken to hospital after feeling “really unwell”.
“Unfortunately after some tests they’ve found that I have some issues with my heart,” he explained.
The music and TV star then said he will need surgery before he returns home.
Max continued: “I have a lot more tests to determine the extent of the problems and what surgery I will need to get me back on my feet.
“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 by my wonderful partner Maisie, her family, my family and friends.. and I’m 100 per cent in the best place.”
Max’s hospital admission comes two years after his Wanted bandmate and best pal Tom Parker died of brain cancer aged just 33.
The Glee actor said he was “shocked” by his own health scare but added: “I count myself very lucky that this was caught when it was.”
Max met girlfriend and former EastEnders star Maisie while both competing in the 2020 series of Strictly Come Dancing.
They became a couple in 2022 and moved in together last year, renovating a home in Manchester.
Maisie has supported Max following the tragic death of his best pal and bandmate Tom, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2020.
Max previously told how he suffered from alcoholism — but turned a new leaf after Tom’s devastating health news.
Tom tragically passed away in March 2022 and his death hit Max hard.
Max said on Channel 4’s Scared Of The Dark: “I don’t think I’ll ever be OK with it.
“One of the last things I said to him was — I thanked him for making my life so much better than what it ever could have been.
“He was my best friend.”
