Maisie Smith doesn't care about 13-year age gap with Max George

Maisie Smith "doesn't notice" the 13-year age gap between her and Max George.

The former 'EastEnders' actress - who began her acting career when she was just five years old - has been dating the 34-year-old Wanted singer for two years and she doesn't care what people say about her boyfriend being so much older because she knows her relationships would be scrutinised whoever she was with.

She told Fabulous magazine: “If it wasn’t that, it would be something else. People don’t understand what goes on behind closed doors in a relationship, and I think they also forget that I’m a consenting 21-year-old woman who’s actually been working longer than Max!

“I don’t notice the age difference and neither do my friends or family. My mum Julia is the one who reads through all the comments. I got a message from her yesterday, saying: ‘Just ignore them, you two were made for each other.’

"I think that just puts it into perspective. I really don’t care what a random person thinks of my relationship when everyone I do care about is incredibly supportive. I’ve been in the business long enough to know you have to have a thick skin.”

Maisie believes her future is with Max and things are "perfect" with him.

Asked if she thinks he is The One, she said: “I do. We have so many plans and I see so much of my future with him – stuff I didn’t even know I was capable of seeing. It still feels like the honeymoon stage. I don’t know at what point that ends, but we’re still there.

“The other day [during the 'Strictly Ballroom' tour], we were in an Airbnb that was terrifying. There were hardly any windows, I could see some sketchy business going on down the road, the shower didn’t have any hot water and there was only one plate.

"But we sat in bed and watched a show and had one of the best nights ever in that house. It just showed that it doesn’t matter where we are – as long as we’re together, everything is perfect.”

And now her touring stint in 'Strictly Ballroom' is over, the actress is moving into Max's house in Manchester and the couple are excited to have some time off together.

She said: "We’ve pretty much spent the entire relationship on my terms.

“Wherever I am, he’s had to travel to and he’s been so supportive. When I’ve arrived back from a day where I’ve performed twice, he’ll be at the Airbnb, having cleaned it and made me fajitas.

“But we’re both excited about having some time off together at home in one location without him having to drive hours across the country every week.”