Max George has hit out at fans who say his relationship with Maisie Smith is ‘controversial’ thanks to their 13-year age gap.
George, 34, began dating EastEnders star Smith, 21, earlier this year after they met as contestants on Strictly Come Dancing in 2020, both going on to appear on the show’s live tour.
In the months since, the couple have been joined at the hip, even sparking engagement rumours while holidaying in Cyprus.
But in between the sunny, smiley selfies, the couple have also faced widespread backlash for their relationship, with some people criticising their age difference – not that George seems particularly fussed.
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Responding to the online fallout, he tweeted: “I’ve just read that apparently mine and Maisie’s age gap is ‘controversial’… a woman in her 20’s and a man in his 30’s...
“What the f**k are they implying? I’d love an explanation please DM.”
In the comments, the divide was apparent, with many expressing their concerns while others shared messages of support.
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“21 and 34 is a generation of difference,” one argued, with another adding: “Age isn’t just a number, it’s a difference in maturity, that’s why people are concerned.”
Some came to the couple’s defence, as one Twitter user posted: “You and Maisie are really happy together and in love, it shouldn't matter how much of an age gap you two have, if you're happy with each other that's all that matters. Like my brother is engaged to a woman who is 5 1/2 years older I don't mind their relationship as long as they are.”
In a recent interview with Hello! Magazine, the couple said the age gap wasn’t something they even thought about.
"People ask me: 'Do you notice it?' and I never have,” Smith said.
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“We're so like-minded. I've got friends in their 30s and 40s. You connect with who you connect with.”
George added: "It never enters my mind. Maisie has already done so many things that I'm in awe of – I look up to her."
George also recently defended his girlfriend when Ulrika Jonsson made comments about her being ‘attention seeking’ amid fans’ fears that the couple had split, following by a cryptic post from Smith, who shared a video of her crying and mouthing along to the song 'Evergreen (You Didn't Deserve Me At All)' by Omar Apollo.
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Among the hundreds of comments was one from Max George, who wrote: "My absolute world, my angel," putting people's minds at ease.
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While most were relieved, Jonsson slammed the 'dramatic' TikTok video, writing in her column for The Sun: "Now, Maisie’s not the first [celeb] to engage in this kind of attention-seeking nonsense and I doubt she’ll be the last.
"I certainly can’t imagine reaching for my phone mid-personal drama to ensure I captured my tearful moment for people to see."
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Ulrika complained that, to do what Maisie Smith did in her TikTok video, 'which was to accompany her tears with a cryptic message and dramatic music which had everyone tearing their hair out with concern for her, fraught with anxiety – and then in a subsequent post to be pictured snogging the face off her boyfriend as if nothing had happened at all', was insulting.
Standing up for his girlfriend, George then posted a selfie to his Instagram Story holding up his middle finger, accompanied by the caption: "Just for you Ulrika.”
Featured Image Credit: @maxgeorge/InstagramTopics: Celebrity