The Twitter account of One Direction's Niall Horan was hacked into last night (July 9).

The Irishman has over twelve million followers on the social networking website and he is a regular tweeter, interacting with fans and friends.

However, it seems a rogue force gained access to his profile before unfollowing people and sending out direct messages.

Fans were alert to the situation and were quick-witted enough to create the term '#NIALLCHANGEYOURPASSWORD' on the site.

Horan said at the time: "Ok my twitter is being hacked as we speak! Unfollowing people! DMin people all kinda stuff! Will get control again."

He later added: "Ok I'm back! I hate hackers! Pain in the ass!"