Max: “I can see myself marrying Stacey”
The Wanted star tells Closer why his relationship with Ryan Giggs’ ex-wife Stacey Cooke is the real deal
He’s had a string of famous exes, including Michelle Keegan, Lucy Mecklenburgh and Lindsay Lohan. But
Max George is now happily loved-up with Stacey Cooke – who was married to footballer Ryan Giggs, before their split in 2016 – and says he can see himself settling down.
He tells Closer, “I don’t want to jinx it, but I can really see myself ending up with Stace. I’ve always wanted to get married, and I love kids. I wouldn’t be with her if I didn’t see a future. But we’re just enjoying seeing how things go at the moment.”
AGE GAP
Max, 30, rose to fame in British-Irish boy band The Wanted in 2009, and hit headlines for his romance with actress Michelle Keegan. The pair dated for two years after meeting at a concert, but broke off their engagement in 2012 – with Max later saying that his “serious drinking problem” was to blame for their split. Michelle went on to marry reality star Mark Wright.
But the singer, who was rumoured to have exchanged messages with Meghan Markle before she met Prince Harry – something he fiercely denies – is now happier than ever with Stacey, who, at 40, is ten years his senior. Max reveals that, despite the age gap, it was love at first sight.
He says, “We met at our local pub through mutual friends. I just thought, ‘Wow, she is so beautiful’, and we hit it off straight away. We just really got each other.
“This relationship is different from my others, because we’re just so comfortable with each other. We love doing everything and nothing together. I love spending Sundays with her – and that’s when you know it’s serious!”
CHEAT CLAIMS
Stacey is best known for her relationship with former Welsh international Ryan Giggs. The pair had children Liberty, 16, and Zach, 12, before marrying in 2007.
But claims that Ryan had cheated on her with model Imogen Thomas – along with reports of an eight-year affair with his brother’s wife, Natasha Lever – hit the press in 2011. Stacey, who is thought to have been awarded a substantial chunk of Ryan’s £40m fortune in their divorce, weathered the storm and remained with the footballer until speculation arose in 2016 that he had allegedly been unfaithful with a waitress, signalling the final end of their marriage.
Now Max says that while he’s met Stacey’s children, he’s happier playing the role of friend, than that of step-dad.
He says, “The kids are great – it’s weird because I’m not a step-dad to them, but more of a mate. They’re quite grown up, so I’m just Max to them.”
● Max George’s new single Better On Me is out now