Siva Kaneswaran shares Max George health update as he reveals major changes to touring

EXCLUSIVE: They found fame in The Wanted, but now, Max George and Siva Kaneswaran are touring together, but things look very different after Max faced major health issues

Max George's life was completely turned around after he underwent heart surgery. In December 2024, the singer, 38, was rushed to the hospital after medical staff discovered a blockage in his heart. At the time, his heart rate dropped to just 24 beats per minute.

During his urgent surgery, a pacemaker was fitted, which Max said at the time was a "shock". However, months later, he underwent a second operation to correct the placement of his pacemaker after experiencing "flickering" sensations and discomfort in his chest.

Nowadays, Max continues to live his life as best as possible, but his bandmate, Siva Kaneswaran, with whom he tours as The Wanted 2.0, admits that life on the road is very different now. And rather than hitting the town after a gig, Max prefers to head straight to bed.

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Speaking to the Mirror before performing at Girlguiding's Big Gig at OVO Arena Wembley tonight, Siva said: "It's always good to play and have fun, but it's not as crazy as it used to be back in the day. That comes with age. Max is in bed by 9pm. I went out in Nashville when we were there for a songwriting camp and watched bands.

"I do go out to enjoy myself, but I don't go out to party hard anymore. That's an old me. I think that's what happens to a lot of people when you get older. You go and enjoy time with your family or birthdays and stuff, but those rock star days are over. We had some good days. We grew up with such a bond. And that was the message in our final shows with Tom - brothers."

But how have things changed since performing as a five-piece? "Nothing has really changed for Max," laughed Siva. But for the Irish singer, things have dramatically changed, which he admits was "challenging".

He explained: "I've taken up a lot of the weight of the rest of the guys. Initially, it was a bit challenging, but I knew the lines already, so it was learning to adapt to a new way of singing. It's different when it was Tom's voice - Tom had such a presence, but it sounds just as good with Max and me, in my personal opinion.

"People are relieved that we're back out after like a decade of being away. Initially, when we got on stage, people thought we were a tribute act, and they realised it's actually the boys. The festival crowds have been packed. We laugh every day with each other and have the best time. It's a dream, and we have so much gratitude every day for our job."

Their bandmate, Tom, tragically died aged just 33 in March 2022, two years after being diagnosed with an inoperable grade IV glioblastoma – an aggressive form of brain cancer. Prior to Tom's death, his bandmates, Max, Siva, Nathan Sykes and Jay McGuiness joined forces to put on a nationwide arena tour for Tom, which saw him perform with his bandmates for the final time.

But while the band were rocked by Tom's death, Max and Siva have remained close to his widow, Kelsey, who recently welcomed her daughter, River, with her partner, Will, almost a year after she tragically lost her son, Phoenix, who was stillborn. "I have visited her over the years and sent a comment on Instagram," Siva said of his friendship with Kelsey.

Reflecting on her happy news, he added: "A new baby is a celebration and a blessing. When I'm not in the middle of a tour, I'll message and go and see her. I'm very happy for them."

Girlguiding is an organisation that Max and Siva have a close relationship with, having performed at the Big Gig last year as well. Siva said of his experience with the organisation: "We did a meet and greet in Oxford and one of the first girls that came up to us was like said she'd followed us since she was 12 and first saw us at Girlguiding's Big Gig and it was the loudest crowd she'd ever heard.

"It's an honour to perform for them again as Girlguiding is such a great message to the UK of teamwork and confidence, and it helps them follow their dreams. There's so much love in Girlguiding. They're making a change in the world, and there's lots of service for each other, and teamwork.

"It's like one big family. I remember walking away feeling that it was so nice after talking to one of the volunteers last time. Girlguiding has an Eco Award badge, which teaches them how to help the planet. I live in LA, and the wildfires were pretty terrifying.

"I had a fire in front of my apartment, and a lot of my friends evacuated. Climate change is a real thing. I've visited Indonesia and Malaysia a lot - my dad's family is from Singapore. Around the airports in Malaysia, it used to be thick rainforests full of orangutans, and now it's all gone - the palm trees used for palm oil. We have to get guidance from the young because they’re the custodians of the planet."

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