One Direction may not have a lead singer as such, but some members do stand out more than others it would seem.

In a recent interview Niall Horan admitted that his pal Liam Payne is probably their unofficial leader and he definitely takes on the most challenging vocal segments of the band’s songs.

In fact Horan thinks the 18 year old has a lot in common with X Factor judge and Take That frontman Gary Barlow and told The Sun:

“Liam has that Barlow aura. He says things like ‘Come on boys, let’s roll. Let’s get going.’ He knows it and can’t deny it.”

Always the joker, curly haired cutie Harry Styles teased his friend’s bossy streak, adding:

“He just needs the briefcase.”

Payne definitely took the lead in the band, when they were on The X Factor in 2010, though we have seen other members coming to the fore in recent months.

At the time of their audition for the ITV show, Liam was probably the most experienced performer in the group and had even made it as far as judges houses with Simon Cowell a few years before, but was sent home because it was thought that he was too young and not quite ready for fame.

Meanwhile, it has been claimed that although they are making a fortune, between all the record sales, their sell out concerts and their full schedule of personal appearances, the 1D boys aren’t being allowed to reap the other benefits of fame.

Insiders have reported that Harry, Liam, Niall, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik have been banned from having sex, while they are on the road.

The group are probably the biggest boyband in the world right now, however they aren’t allowed to accept any proposals from the crowds of girls that are throwing themselves at them, according to recent press reports.

It is claimed that record label bosses are keen to keep One Direction’s image as a clean cut bunch of lads but sources say that Niall Horan in particular is furious about the ban that has been slapped on them….strange we were sure it would have been Harry Styles.

A source close to Niall told The Sun:

‘He’s raging about it — all the lads are. Four of them are single and they’ve been told to stay that way as it appeals to their American teen fans. Niall is fighting off the women with his Irish accent and good looks so he’s having to live like a monk … But they are so determined to make it work in the States they’ll do whatever they are told. Quite simply a sex scandal over there would be the end of the band.’”

The newspaper claims that four of the band are single – with only Liam Payne in a serious relationship – but all the boys have previously revealed that Louis is still dating his girlfriend Eleanor, so this would appear to be a mistake.

It was recently reported that Niall is the most popular 1D member in America and is beating the ladies off with a stick…..now we know why!