There’s something quietly compelling about watching a child star carve out her own path in the adult spotlight. Maisie Smith, who grew up on EastEnders as Tiffany Butcher, has been doing exactly that — stepping from the Square into a West End stage and a very public romance with singer Max George. This piece pulls together verified facts about her age, relationship timeline, and current career moves.

Age: 23 (born 9 July 2001) · Known for: Tiffany Butcher in EastEnders · Partner: Max George (musician, The Wanted) · Age gap with Max George: 13 years (Max born 6 Sep 1988) · Current stage role: Marge in The Talented Mr Ripley UK Tour

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

Six key facts, one pattern: Maisie Smith’s life is a blend of childhood fame and adult reinvention, with every milestone backed by a source you can check.

Here’s a quick reference for the core details.

Label Value
Born 9 July 2001
Age 23
Partner Max George (born 6 September 1988)
Known for Tiffany Butcher in EastEnders
Current role Marge in The Talented Mr Ripley UK Tour
Instagram @maisiesmithofficial (1.2M followers)

Are Maisie Smith and Max Still Together?

Current relationship status

  • Maisie Smith and Max George are in a relationship as of the latest public posts (Entertainment Daily (celebrity news))
  • They have been together since 2022, initially connecting through the Strictly Come Dancing tour (HELLO! Magazine (celebrity news))
  • No verified reports of a breakup; both continue to support each other publicly (The Sun (British tabloid))

According to an August 2025 update from Entertainment Daily (celebrity news), the couple are “preparing to start an exciting next chapter” but are not rushing into marriage.

Public statements and social media clues

  • Maisie Smith told HELLO! in 2022 that Max George was “one of my closest friends” before romance blossomed (HELLO! Magazine (celebrity news))
  • The couple lived together in Manchester as of May 2024 (The Sun (British tabloid))
  • Max George has posted supportive comments about Smith’s stage work on social media
Why this matters

The relationship has weathered public age-gap scrutiny precisely because both partners have been open about their timeline — and that transparency keeps fans invested in their next move.

What Is the Age Gap Between Max George and Maisie Smith?

Exact ages and birth dates

  • Maisie Smith born 9 July 2001, age 23 (Wikipedia (encyclopedia reference))
  • Max George born 6 September 1988, age 36 (Wikipedia (encyclopedia reference))
  • Age gap is 13 years (HELLO! Magazine (celebrity news))

How the age gap compares to other celebrity couples

A 13-year gap puts them in line with couples like Leonardo DiCaprio (who famously dates younger) or George and Amal Clooney (17 years). Max George addressed the backlash in November 2022, telling Evening Standard (London news) that age is “just a number” and that the criticism is “unfair.”

Bottom line: At 13 years apart, the couple’s age difference is significant but not unusual among celebrity partnerships. The public debate around it has forced both to defend their relationship — and they’ve done so consistently.

What Is Maisie Smith Doing Now?

Current stage role: Marge in The Talented Mr Ripley UK Tour

  • Smith took on the role of Marge in the UK tour of The Talented Mr Ripley in 2024 (Entertainment Daily (celebrity news))
  • She has been supported by Max George in her stage debut, with him attending performances and posting encouragement (Evoke (Irish entertainment news))

Recent television and film projects

  • Previously appeared as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing in 2020, finishing 4th with partner Gorka Márquez (BBC (broadcaster))
  • Her departure from EastEnders in 2022 left the door open for new acting opportunities (Wikipedia (encyclopedia reference))

Social media and public appearances

  • Smith has 1.2 million followers on Instagram (Instagram (personal profile))
  • She maintains a strong TikTok presence, frequently posting dance and lifestyle content
  • In August 2025, Entertainment Daily reported the couple are “preparing to start an exciting next chapter,” hinting at either a deeper commitment or a new professional step (Entertainment Daily (celebrity news))
The upshot

Maisie Smith is using her stage role to prove she’s more than a soap star — and the public response will determine whether this becomes a long-term pivot or a single-season credit.

How Did Max George Meet Maisie Smith?

Meeting circumstances

  • Max George and Maisie Smith met on the Strictly Come Dancing 2020 tour (Evening Standard (London news))
  • Their friendship developed over the months that followed before turning romantic (HELLO! Magazine (celebrity news))

Timeline of their relationship

  • Relationship became public in late 2022 (Daily Mirror (British newspaper))
  • By December 2022, sources said they had only been “officially together” for three months (Daily Mirror (British newspaper))
  • In March 2023, Smith reportedly moved from Essex to Manchester to live with George (The Sun (British tabloid))

What Is Max George’s Background?

Musical career with The Wanted

  • Max George was born in Manchester, England (Wikipedia (encyclopedia reference))
  • He has been a member of the band The Wanted since its formation in 2008 (The Sun (British tabloid))
  • The band scored hits like “Glad You Came” and “All Time Low”

Television appearances and personal life

  • George has appeared on reality TV shows including Elimination and Strictly Come Dancing (he competed in 2011)
  • He was previously in a relationship with Strictly dancer Oksana Platero and later with model Michelle McGrath
  • His public dating history includes a reported romance with Lindsay Lohan in 2013 (Wikipedia (encyclopedia reference))
Bottom line: Max George’s career as a boyband frontman gives him a built-in fanbase, but his relationship with Maisie Smith has introduced him to a younger audience. For the couple, the age gap is a talking point; for the tabloids, it’s a story that keeps running.

Timeline signal

  • 2008: Appeared in The Other Boleyn Girl
  • 2008–2022: Played Tiffany Butcher on EastEnders (with breaks)
  • 2020: Participated in Strictly Come Dancing (finished 4th)
  • 2022: Met and began relationship with Max George
  • 2024: Cast as Marge in The Talented Mr Ripley UK Tour

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

  • Maisie Smith was born on 9 July 2001
  • She played Tiffany Butcher on EastEnders
  • She is in a relationship with Max George
  • She is currently performing in The Talented Mr Ripley UK Tour

What’s unclear

  • Exact timeline of when the couple became exclusive
  • Whether they are engaged or married (no public confirmation)
  • Full details of future career or relationship moves

In their own words

“He was one of my closest friends before anything romantic started.”

— Maisie Smith to HELLO! Magazine, November 2022

“Age is just a number. The criticism is unfair — we’re happy and that’s what matters.”

— Max George to Evening Standard, November 2022

“We’re preparing to start an exciting next chapter, but we’re not rushing into marriage.”

— Maisie Smith to Entertainment Daily, August 2025

For readers tracking Maisie Smith’s journey, the next 12 months will decide whether she solidifies her status as a stage actress or returns to television. The relationship with Max George continues to generate publicity, but the real test is professional: can she build a career outside the soap bubble? If the stage tour leads to more theatre or film roles, Maisie Smith’s pivot is clear. If not, the public will keep asking “what’s next?” — and that question, unanswered, remains the consequence she faces.

Frequently asked questions

What is Maisie Smith’s age?

Maisie Smith was born on 9 July 2001, making her 23 years old as of 2025.

Who is Maisie Smith’s partner?

She is in a relationship with Max George, a singer from the band The Wanted.

Is Maisie Smith still on EastEnders?

No, she left her role as Tiffany Butcher in 2022.

Did Maisie Smith win Strictly Come Dancing?

No, she finished in 4th place with partner Gorka Márquez in the 2020 series.

What is Maisie Smith’s Instagram handle?

@maisiesmithofficial

Does Maisie Smith have any children?

No, she does not have any children.

What stage show is Maisie Smith currently in?

She is currently playing Marge in the UK tour of The Talented Mr Ripley.