The Wanted's Max George and ex-Eastender's Maisie Smith, met and fell in love on the 2020 series of Strictly Come Dancing, now they'll  be playing the married couple Parson Nathaniel & wife Beth, in the iconic Jeff Wayne's The War of The Worlds The Spirit of Man arena tour in 2025.

The announcement unleashes a series of ‘firsts', as we hear Maisie sing for the first time, Max act for the first time - as well as this being a monumental first for The War of The Worlds, as Jeff Wayne casts a real-life couple into this marriage of Nathaniel and Beth.  The role of Nathaniel has previously been played by Jason Donovan and Blue's Duncan James, whilst Steps' Claire Richards and singer Kerry Ellis have filled the past roles of Beth in early Jeff Wayne live productions of TWOTW.

Conducted by Jeff Wayne and featuring Liam Neeson in 3D holography as The Journalist, who recounts his story of survival from the Martian invasion of 1898, the tour visits Resorts World Arena on Friday 18 April 2025.

One of the most trailblazing arena tours of all time, Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of The Worlds returns with a musical spectacular like none other, with the production remaining a favourite to millions around the world, exciting audiences of all ages. In 2006, TWOTW was already considered a cutting-edge production with six trucks filled to the brim. By 2025, marking 19 years of live touring, the production will be up to 12 trucks, with a host of new ingredients and special effects to challenge and excite the senses.

Jeff Wayne's The War of The Worlds visits Resorts World Arena on Friday 18 April 2025. Tickets are on sale here.