When the members of One Direction first started their musical careers they weren't together. In fact the five performers met when they were each solo contestants trying to get on The X Factor in 2010. At this point they didn't get very far, but judge Nicole Scherzinger suggested that they should form themselves into a boy band and try again in the Groups category. So they formed One Direction Harry Styles thought of the name), and this time they got into the show (series 7) and reached 3rd place with their song 'Forever Young'. This was a cover version of an old song from Alphaville. Simon Cowell then signed them up for his record label, Syco.

The following year they took part in the X Factor Live tour and have been famous ever since. They performed at the 2012 Olympics and are now worth over £35 million.