Max George was on hand to show his support to his emotional girlfriend Maisie Smith as she took her final bows on stage. The former EastEnders actress has spent months touring in Strictly Ballroom the Musical in which she played enthusiastic beginner Fran opposite hero Scott Hastings, played by former Strictly pro Kevin Clifton.
The pair were brought together on stage by Craig Revel Horwood in the reimaging of Baz Luhrmann's award-winning global film phenomenon and the nationwide tour which kicked off back in September. But on Saturday night (March 25), Maisie finished her stint in the show with former Coronation Street star Faye Brookes taking over the role from Monday (March 27).
And in the audience to support her was her man Max. Filming her being given flowers as the audience applauded in a video posted to his Instagram Story, the singer wrote: "You did it baby... Beyond proud of you." He then added: "It's just the beginning."
The Wanted star's message comes as a new interview with Maisie was released in which she branded Max 'The One'. The 21 year old actress, who is known for playing Tiffany Butcher in BBC's EastEnders, is currently in the process of moving in with Max, 34, and leaving behind her home in Essex for a brand new life in Manchester.
“Wherever I am, he’s had to travel to and he’s been so supportive," Maisie gushed over the boyband star in an interview with Fabulous, before admitting she was keen to have some downtime with Max in the coming months following the end of her stint in Strictly Ballroom.
"We’ve pretty much spent the entire relationship on my terms," she said. "Wherever I am, he’s had to travel to and he’s been so supportive. When I’ve arrived back from a day where I’ve performed twice, he’ll be at the Airbnb, having cleaned it and made me fajitas. But we’re both excited about having some time off together at home in one location without him having to drive hours across the country every week."
The couple met when they both appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2020, however, romantic sparks only began to fly last year and previously revealed that it was not until the BBC One dance competition's live arena tour in January 2022 that a close friendship started to form between them.
They realised they’d fallen for each other during a cast and crew holiday to Portugal, celebrating the end of the 2022 Strictly tour they’d both just performed in. "We came back head over heels, which was really unexpected, "Maisie told Fabulous.
"I wrote in my Valentine’s card this year ‘from strangers to friends, friends to lovers’, and I love the way that it happened for us. What’s really nice is there was never any intention. We met each other, had a laugh, became best friends, and then two years down the line realised there was so much more."
When asked if she sees Max as The One, Maisie said: "I do. We have so many plans and I see so much of my future with him – stuff I didn’t even know I was capable of seeing. It still feels like the honeymoon stage. I don’t know at what point that ends, but we’re still there."
And while the 13-year age gap has often proved a talking point for fans and critics of the pair, Maisie couldn't care at all. "If it wasn’t that, it would be something else," she told the publication. "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.’ I think that just puts it into perspective. I really don’t care what a random person thinks of my relationship when everyone I do care about is incredibly supportive. I’ve been in the business long enough to know you have to have a thick skin."
READ NEXT:
- ITV I'm A Celebrity return confirmed for next month as former campmates revealed for 'All Star' series
- Hollyoaks beauty Jorgie Porter shows off new look as she asks 'who am I'
- Helen Flanagan shares unseen post-labour snap and says daughter isn't 'chuffed' as she celebrates son's 2nd birthday
- Charlotte Crosby asks 'how old is my child?' as she sparks debate with partner Jake Ankers
- BBC Strictly's Janette Manrara bares baby bump as she tells fans she's 'not getting angry with herself'
