I’m a relationship expert & here’s why Max George & Maisie Smith can’t resist cringe PDAs – but romance will face hurdle

MAX George and Maisie Smith are very much an item - and want the world to know about it.

The couple have been piling on the public displays of affection since we revealed last month that they were in a secret relationship.

Over the weekend the smitten pair posted a snap of them locking lips on social media.

The latest pic was shared by The Wanted singer after 21-year-old Maisie's own selfie of them kissing to celebrate her man's birthday.

Earlier this month Max, 34, posted a promotional picture of his girlfriend on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins with the caption: "You're my winner already," alongside a heart emoji.

The pair have even put each another's Instagram handle on the bio section of their profiles to make it clear they're an item.

In the space of a few weeks, there have been a ton of photos of the pair leaving the same apartment together, snogging in the street, and sharing cuddles.

Not to mention pictures of them enjoying romantic holidays abroad.

Relationship expert Emma Kenny says it's likely the couple can't seem to keep their hands off each other - and resist the urge to tell us about it - because of the secrecy surrounding them in the beginning.

But she warns they face potential challenges if they want their romance to go all the way.

She tells The Sun: "The majority of new relationships experience an intensity that leads to public displays of affection.

"Falling in love is a powerful experience, and more often than not each party feels a level of pride in their new partnership, meaning they are likely to be very affectionate with one another wherever they may be.

"If there was a level of prior secrecy to this relationship, the new permission they feel from going public will also amplify the physicality between them.

"They no longer need to hide away, meaning that they may wish to make up for lost time."

String of romances

Maisie has been coy about her past relationships, but is believed to have spent the night with EastEnders co-star Zack Morris after a cinema date in September 2021.

The previous year she was linked to singer HYVY but denied they were ever in a relationship.

Max, however, has had a number of serious relationships.

He was previously engaged to ex-Coronation Street actress Michelle Keegan, but told The Sun she dumped him because of his past "serious drinking problem".

Max's former flames also include Lucy Mecklenburgh, Lindsay Lohan and Sports Illustrated model Nina Agdal.

Max began dating ex WAG Stacey Giggs, a mum-of-two and 10 years his senior, in 2018. They briefly broke up in March, only to reconcile a month later.

Max called Stacey "the one" in 2020 and said they were considering starting a family of their own.

But they split for good in August, a few weeks before Max got together with Strictly pal Maisie and was spotted jetting off for a romantic holiday in Crete.

An onlooker said: "They looked like a very loved-up couple - they were all over each other for the entire four-hour flight."

Not long after they were spotted laughing and kissing in the pool of a £1,097-a-night plush hotel in Mallorca.

Since they went public, some fans have argued their PDAs have become increasingly over the top.

A few days ago they both posted a picture standing in front of a mirror kissing in matching outfits.

She captioned her post "Yours" while he wrote "Mine" with a black heart emoji.

Max has never been shy of a PDA, having shared snaps of him kissing Stacey. He even got her name tattooed on his wrist but has since covered it up with a lion and rose.

Big hurdle

While Emma believes their relationship could go the distance, she says their 13-year age gap and Maisie's lack of relationship experience could prove testing.

She explains: "Max has expressed wanting a family of his own and Maisie is someone he likely considers to be in a position where this could be a possibility.

"Maisie is very young, and relatively inexperienced in the dating game.

"Transitioning to a long-term commitment, particularly in the spotlight, may prove challenging."

Too soon?

Max and Maisie were both on the 18th series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2020, and sources claim their relationship blossomed during the show tour.

But Emma does not believe that the fact Max has moved on from his ex "quickly" with Maisie is a reason for concern.

She says: "They have spent a lot of time together due to their Strictly tour, which may also have accelerated their connection and commitment towards one another.

"Whilst Max has moved on relatively quickly with Maisie, this doesn’t have to spell disaster.

"We have little control over when people walk into our lives. If a connection is strong, and compatibility is high, then even rebound relationships can become something solid and long-lasting."