Max George reveals he's had pacemaker fitted as he hails it as ‘best Christmas present ever’

The Wanted's Max George has shared that he's had a pacemaker fitted following an operation to treat a 2:1 heart block. The singer took to Instagram on Saturday to share a snap of his scar, located just below a "special tattoo" on the left side of his chest. The tattoo reads 04/08/1998, a tribute to his late bandmate Tom Parker's birthday, who .

Max, 36, had previously revealed that he was hospitalised due to "issues with my heart". He described the fitting of his pacemaker as "the best Christmas present". In his post, he wrote: "Say hello to my little friend! " and "Given the last 10 days, this is the best Christmas present I could've ever wished for."

He continued: "Pacemaker is in. Operation took around two and a half hours. The main issue being some of my veins had collapsed where the wires were meant to go... But the surgeons and nurses at the NHS have been incredible. I owe everything to them."

Max also mentioned that his pacemaker was placed under a special tattoo, adding: "The surgeon kindly put my pacemaker just underneath a very special tattoo of mine.. So I'm sure it's being looked after."

He also revealed that he still has a few more tests to undergo due to inflamed lymph nodes on his lungs, but he remains optimistic, stating: "Few more tests to do due to inflamed lymph nodes on my lungs, but that'll be easy work!"

He concluded his update by thanking everyone for their support, saying: "Thank you for all your support. It's meant a hell of a lot to myself and my family."

Earlier in December, Max had shared that he had "a 2:1 block in my heart" and would be undergoing heart surgery "way quicker than the doctors first thought". He had previously opened up in a candid video on his Instagram stories, saying he was "hoping (for a) pacemaker".

These life-saving devices, which help to regulate the heartbeat, have been instrumental in saving numerous lives by providing an electric pulse.