HOW IT ALL BEGAN
The band open their photo albums and share their childhood stories
Liam
Name: Liam James Payne
Born: 29 August 1993
Star sign: Virgo
Home town: Wolverhampton
Eye colour: Brown
Fave aftershave: Paco Rabanne’s 1 million
Fave grooming product: Hair wax
Best thing about being in One Direction: There’s never a dull moment
Finding his voice
“I first started singing when I was about six. We used to go to my grandad’s in Cornwall or to holiday camps and I used to sing on the karaoke all the time. My favourite track to perform was Robbie Williams’ ‘Angels’.”
Childhood dreams
“At one stage I wanted to become a boxer. I used to box three times a week, but I had to give that up for The X Factor, as you can’t turn up on stage with bruises.”
Never giving up
“I was 14 when I first auditioned for The X Factor back in 2008, but Simon didn’t take me through because he didn’t think I was ready for it. It was a terrible disappointment, but I was up against a lot of stiff competition. And looking back, I’m thankful that I didn’t get through, otherwise I wouldn’t be in One Direction now.”
The boys on Liam
Louis: “I think Liam’s the sensible one.”
Zayn: “He’s not just the dad of the group, he’s the grandad of the group! Being in the group’s been good for him because he’s become more immature. Before, he thought he was about 30!”
Liam: “Grandad? I suppose I’m the sensible one. We all love to have a laugh and it’s great fun to be in One Direction but sometimes you gotta have your Mr Serious head on!”
Louis
Name: Louis William Tomlinson
Born: 24 December 1991
Star sign: Capricorn
Home town: Doncaster
Eye colour: Blue
Fave aftershave: Hollister
Fave grooming product: Dry shampoo – when I can’t be bothered to wash my hair
Best thing about being in One Direction: Just the laugh we have. And also I’ve made four new friends
Mr Tomlinson, sir
“Since the age of 13, I’ve wanted to be an actor or a singer. I always had a back-up plan though - because I love kids, I decided it would be great to be a teacher. It would have been funny if Zayn and I had somehow ended up on the same course.”
Taste of fame
“I posted some clips on YouTube of me singing songs like The Fray’s ‘Look After You’ when I was about 15 or 16, to try and get some kind of feedback. There’s also a video on there of me performing as Danny in my school’s production of Grease. I loved being in that show, it was such a laugh, and I was really pleased to land the role of Danny as it was the first show I’d auditioned for.”
Fortune teller
“A lot of kids complain about school, but I actually enjoyed it and I really miss it now. I remember one of my RE teachers saying to me when I was about 15, ‘I can tell by your personality that you’re going to go on to do big things.’”
The boys on Louis
Zayn: “He’s the joker! People always say Harry or Niall are the Robbie of the group but behind the scenes, it’s always Louis. He’s very much a rule breaker, doesn’t like to stick to the rules.”
Louis: “When we have to be professional I can be serious but I LOVE to have a laugh.”
Harry
Name: Harry Edward Styles
Born: 1 February 1994
Star sign: Aquarius
Home town: Cheshire
Eye colour: Green
Fave aftershave: Bleu de Chanel
Fave grooming product: Shampoo – I use L’Oreal Elvive
Best thing about being in One Direction: The four lads that I’m with
Born performer
“I started singing in primary school and was always in plays and shows, so I was performing from a young age. All I ever wanted to do was something that was well paid. I really liked the idea of being a singer, but I had no idea how to go about it.”
Early fame
“I formed a band called White Eskimo with some school friends. We performed locally and also won a battle of the bands competition. Winning that and playing to a lot of people really showed me that singing was what I wanted to do. I got such a thrill when I was in front of people that it made me want to do it more and more.”
Thanks mum!
“My mum is always telling me that I’m a good singer and it was her who put the X Factor application in for me. Obviously, I was hopeful that the judges would like me as well. It would have been a major setback in my plans for world domination if they hadn’t.”
The boys on Harry
Niall: “Curly!”
Louis: “He’s the cheeky one definitely.”
Niall: “And he’s also curly.”
Louis: “He’s a massive flirt but also a great friend to all of us, very easy to talk to.”
Zayn
Name: Zayn Javaad Malik
Born: 12 January 1993
Star sign: Capricorn
Home town: Bradford
Eye colour: Hazel
Fave aftershave: Unforgivable by Sean John
Fave grooming product: Hair wax
Best thing about being in One Direction: All the free clothes and I get to do what I love every day
Larger than life