It’s been reported today that hit X Factor boy band One Direction are to appear during this year’s X Factor UK Judges’ Houses round at the house of whichever judge lands the Groups category this year.

And as we reported recently, the One Direction boys are also to be mentors on Australia’s version of The X Factor this year, to likewise offer advice to groups who are aspiring to emulate 1D’s success.

A show insider told The People, “This is a massive deal for them. They’re at the top of their game and already have enough experience to judge others.”

The boys were of course originally individual auditionees on The X Factor in 2010, but after intervention from guest judge Nicole Scherzinger – who is of course now the fourth judge on this year’s show – and Simon Cowell, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik were put together and 1D was born…

As the newly formed group, the boys wowed Simon at the Judges’ Houses stage, and despite coming third on the show, they have of course gone on to become multi-millionaires who enjoy global success.

Here’s a reminder of their own Judges’ Houses experience…