One Direction star Liam Payne has joked he has to "watch out" for overzealous mums who "discreetly" grab his bottom.

The heartthrob is currently on the group's Take Me Home world tour with bandmates Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson.

Payne has joked that although One Direction have eager younger fans, they also have to pay close attention to the intentions of their mothers too.

Speaking to British newspaper The Sun he explained: “Mums are the ones you’ve got to watch out for.

“There have been a few incidents in meet-and-greets in America when you’ve been stood next to a mum and she puts her hand on your bum discreetly, doesn’t say a word about it and just walks off.”

Payne added he's “more a relationship kind of guy” after splitting from his long-term girlfriend Danielle Peazer earlier this year.

Meanwhile, heartthrob Styles revealed he has pets on his mind while the band are on the road.

He said: “Having a monkey would be cool. Imagine going to your friend’s house and saying you had brought your pet monkey with you. Or a micro pig.”