One Direction are not at all intimidated by the rise of two new UK boybands.

Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson started out on the ITV show and much like current X Factor group Union J, were put together by the judges at the bootcamp stage.

The lads have went on to achieve worldwide fame, selling records and winning awards all over the globe and it’s plain to see that bosses are hoping to follow their path to success with their new, fresh acts.

However 1D aren’t at all concerned about the competition and actually, they have been singing the praises of their new pals.

The singers met this year’s X Factor acts backstage last week, when they appeared on the first live show of the series and later bumped into them again at London TV studios.

Harry enjoyed spending time with District 3 and Union J and told heat:

“The boy bands are really good. I think its good that there are two boybands because a lot of the time I don’t really think they want to put two of them through. I think they are both really great and talented.”

Louis Tomlinson gushed about the lads too, adding:

“They are such nice guys as well.”

1d made an appearance on The X Factor recently as we mentioned, though we were a little baffled by why they bothered as they didn’t perform, didn’t mentor, didn’t really do anything other than come on stage, chat to Dermot O’Leary for a few seconds and then leave again.

It all seemed a little pointless, though of course we know it was purely a ratings grab.

Niall admitted that he and his pals hung around backstage to watch some of the performances afterwards and he found it all very stressful. He said:

“It was weird watching it from our side now because when we walked out those doors for the first time it was the most nerve-wracking thing ever.”

Louis added: “I couldn’t even watch it properly because I felt on the edge the whole time.”

They’ve performed at the MTV VMAs and the Olympic Closing Ceremony, we would have thought the X Factor would be small cheese to 1D now.

Are you with One Direction? Do you like District 3 or Union J? Leave your comments below…

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