Max George signed with a new management company that promised to make him a ‘world star’ just two weeks before mysteriously withdrawing from touring theater show The Syndicate.
The 35-year-old Wanted singer continues to be pictured on the play’s website and multiple ticketing platforms after being cast as the big star of The Syndicate, with bosses hoping his participation would boost sales.
But just weeks before the show’s opening — and the start of a five-month tour — Max announced he can’t perform for “personal reasons” and said he’d be there to cheer on his former co-stars, including Coronation Street actress Brooke Vincent. , ‘Once I feel better.’
However, less than 24 hours after releasing the statement to his Instagram followers, Max watched his beloved Manchester City play Liverpool at Anfield.
His withdrawal from The Syndicate comes after he signed a new contract with Soulheart Group, which promises to take his career abroad and teases a ‘big announcement’ soon.
Max George signed with a new management company that promised to make him a ‘world star’ just two weeks before mysteriously withdrawing from touring theater show The Syndicate
The singer is still pictured on the play’s website and multiple ticketing platforms after being cast as the big star of The Syndicate, with bosses hoping his participation would boost sales.
But just weeks before the show’s opening – and the start of a five-month tour – Max announced he won’t be able to perform for ‘personal reasons’.
A showbiz insider said: ‘Exiting the show at such short notice is bound to raise eyebrows. It’s far from ideal, especially since he appeared in all the promos.
‘But the deal for Max to join his new agency has been in the works for some time and is not related to him leaving the tour.
“They will focus on his music side, which could allow him to restart his pop career.”
Max announced his withdrawal from the show on Saturday afternoon, saying: ‘Hey everyone. I’m really sorry, but for personal reasons I’m not participating in The Syndicate.
“It’s going to be a great show and I wish Gaynor and the whole cast all the luck in the world. I’ll be there to cheer you all on once I feel better.”
The ex-Strictly star has been replaced on The Syndicate by director Gaynor Faye’s son Oliver, who is the grandson of the show’s legendary writer Kay Mellor.
Max’s stage debut would be his first attempt at acting since his 2015 appearance in the American series Glee.
MailOnline has contacted Max’s spokesperson for comment.
His withdrawal from The Syndicate comes after he signed a new contract with Soulheart Group, which promises to take his career abroad and teases a ‘big announcement’ soon
Max announced on Saturday afternoon that he was withdrawing from the show, saying: ‘Really gutted but for personal reasons I will not be joining The Syndicate’
Max is in a relationship with former EastEnders actress Maisie Smith, who he lives with in Manchester
Max previously said of his new role: ‘I’m thrilled that my stage debut role is in The Syndicate.
“I’m such a big fan of Kay’s work and it’s an honor to be part of this world premiere tour. I feel like I’ve won the lottery.’
As well as playing a crucial role in the success of boy band The Wanted, Max has boosted his profile in recent years by starring in a series of reality shows.
He appeared in the 2020 series of Strictly Come Dancing, finishing ninth alongside partner Dianne Buswell, before taking part in the 2022 ITV series The Games and Channel 4’s Scared of the Dark.
The year after appearing on Strictly, Max was invited on the dancing show’s national tour 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 thirteen-year age difference, telling Hello!: ‘It never crosses my mind. Maisie has done so many things that I’m in awe of – I look up to her.’