Max George and Maisie Smith will be leading the cast of The War of the Worlds as it tours the UK next year - featuring a show at Manchester’s Co-Op Live.

Max, known for being part of boyband The Wanted, and former EastEnders actress Maisie met whilst both appearing on the 2020 series of Strictly Come Dancing. Last year, it was confirmed that the pair were dating.

The celebrities will now play husband and wife in Jeff Wayne’s dramatic musical version of H. G. Wells’ science fiction story The War of the Worlds as part of The Spirit of Man Tour across the UK in 2025. Max will play Parson Nathaniel, with Maisie taking on the role of Beth.

The tour will kick off in Hull on March 28, 2025 and then take in dates at Dublin, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Leeds, and Newcastle before heading to Manchester on Saturday, April 6. Tickets available here.

"I am thrilled to announce my involvement in the iconic show that is Jeff Wayne's The War of The Worlds,” Maisie said of her involvement. “This is a particularly special role for me because I grew up listening to the soundtrack on my dad's vinyl. My family are HUGE fans of the show so telling them I was going to be playing Beth was a very memorable moment.”

Max and Maisie met whilst both appearing on the 2020 series of Strictly Come Dancing (Image: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for EE)

Max added: “I'm absolutely buzzing to be a part of Jeff Wayne's The War of The Worlds. It's a show I've always been a fan of and was introduced to the music when I was five. My mum absolutely loves it. Playing the part of Parson Nathaniel is gonna be really special. I've got big shoes to fill with the likes of Phil Lynott and Jason Donovan playing the roles in the past, but I'm looking forward to making this role my own.”

The show, which will also feature Hollywood actor Liam Neeson in holographic form, recounts a story of survival from a Martian invasion in 1898. The musical spectacular is one of the biggest touring productions - with 2006’s incarnation featuring six trucks full of sets, props and special effects.

Organisers previously said the itinerary for the 2025 tour is expected to be double in size, now filling around twelve trucks, as the production values continue to be ramped up.

Jeff Wayne's The War Of The Worlds will tour the UK in 2025 (Image: Jeremy Pardoe)

Speaking about the pair’s involvement, lyricist Jeff Wayne said: "The moment I met Max & Maisie I knew they were the perfect fit for the role of Nathaniel and Beth. Maisie has such a melodic but powerful voice, which compliments Max's dramatic vocals wonderfully. Plus, being a couple in real life will add to their on-stage charisma and chemistry, and I'm delighted they've joined the 2025 The Spirit of Man Tour as husband and wife."

Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds comes to Co-Op Live on Saturday, April 6, 2025. Tickets here.

Full UK tour dates for 2025 are as follows: