Michelle Keegan and Max from The Wanted (Pic: Getty/PA)

Michelle Keegan and Max from The Wanted (Pic: Getty/PA)


HUMILIATINGLY dumped by her two-timing fiancé, millions of viewers have felt for Coronation Street’s sexiest barmaid as she nurses her broken heart.

But away from the cobbles, Michelle Keegan, who plays Tina McIntyre, has never been happier.
The actress, 24, is overjoyed after recently becoming engaged to 22-year-old Max George from chart-topping boy band The Wanted.
And don’t be fooled by the singer’s shaven head and piercing grey eyes. He’s an old romantic at heart and asked for his future father-in-law’s blessing before getting down on one knee.
“I cried, she cried – there were a lot of tears all round,” Max admits sheepishly.
“I asked her dad because I’m a bit of a traditionalist, then I proposed when we were in Manchester. I don’t think she was expecting it.
“We haven’t actually told anyone where exactly I did it. That’s a secret I want to keep private between us – even the boys don’t know.
“I think you just know when it’s right, when the relationship is The One. I just knew that it was the right thing to do, to propose, to be with her always. I just love her, it’s quite easy really.”
After popping the question he presented stunning Michelle – voted Britain’s sexiest soap actress for three years running – with a £12,000 ring.
Within hours he rang the rest of the group – Tom Parker, Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness and Nathan Sykes – to share the good news. Max says: “There were definitely a lot of tears shed from a lot of people.
“But Tom cried the most. I told him I was leaving the band. I said I couldn’t deal with it any more and had to get away. He broke down. And I was like, ‘I’m joking – I’m engaged.’ He called me a b******. Then he cried even more.But all the guys were great and really supportive.
“Everyone loves Michelle. Even the female fans like her which isn’t always the case with boy bands. I dunno, she’s just cool.”
The couple, who have been dating for seven months, are expected to marry next summer though they have not yet set a date. “We’ve got an album and stuff to do first,” explains Max.
Introduced backstage at a Wanted gig by Max’s dad, the pair were texting for two weeks before having their first date and sharing a first kiss.
Keen to keep the romance behind closed doors, the couple rarely attend showbiz events together or get papped toppling out of trendy clubs.

Michelle Keegan (Pic: WireImage)
Michelle Keegan
They prefer to stay in, enjoying romantic meals cooked by Stockport-born Michelle, who claims to have put on half a stone since they started dating.
Much of their early relationship was conducted long distance, with Michelle up north and Max living in London with the rest of the group. But the pair are now living together close to Corrie’s Granada Studios in Max’s home city of Manchester.
They are keen to start a family in the future but for now are content with their first new arrival – a chihuahua pup called Pip.
Max says: “The dog is that small I could have put the ring around its neck and proposed that way.
“She’s a top bird though. The dog that is. Not Michelle. Although she’s top too.
“Pip loves me more than Michelle though. Chelle’s gutted. Pip sleeps on top of my head at night. I wear her like a hat, like a fez.”
It seems Max was destined to have fans chant his name. At first he thought it would be through football. He was on Preston North End’s books but injury ended his career. He turned to music and was soon in the boy band Premier League – The Wanted are expected to celebrate a second week at No1 tomorrow with single Glad You Came.
Michelle says she doesn’t feel threatened by her fiance’s legion of female supporters. Even the ­certifiable ones. “We get a few crazies,” Max laughs, sipping water at a cafe on London’s South Bank.
“We get sent bras. One girl flies from Saudi Arabia just to stand by us. She only has one hand. I’m not mocking, I think she must have committed a crime.”
The Wanted, whose single for Comic Relief last year also topped the charts, are tipped to crack the US next year. But Max believes touring won’t put a strain on his relationship with his intended.
He explains: “On a tour you get days off to relax and they can come wherever you are.
“Chelle and I just work no matter where we both are in the country. I’m happy, she’s happy and the boys are happy for us.”