Ronan Keating admits he is envious of One Direction's hi-jinx fun

Ronan Keating says he is jealous of One Direction's fun-loving lifestyles - because he was too serious when he was in a boyband.

The singer shot to fame with Irish group Boyzone in the 1990s, but Keating told the Daily Mail that he was trying too hard to be a "perfect" boyband member to actually enjoy the lifestyle.

He reckons he should have been more like the One Direction lads.

Keating said: "Don’t get me wrong, it was brilliant. It was amazing. I just wish I’d enjoyed it more. I didn’t. I honestly didn’t.

"I was too busy trying to be the perfect pop star or making sure I said all the right things.

“I look at the lads from One Direction now and I’m envious of them. They’re having a great time. I was a 16-year-old kid with a 30 year-old head on my shoulders.

"I should have been wild, and having a great time, and being a pop star.”

Keating meanwhile is due to release his latest solo album 'Time of My Life' on Friday (February 12).

Watch Boyzone in their heyday below: