Gareth Malone has called into question One Direction's staying power.

The British-Irish boyband are currently one of the hottest properties in pop, with their records and tours raking in millions.

However, many have pondered whether the group - who formed on the UK X Factor in 2010 - have enough longevity in them.

Speaking to the Metro, Gareth Malone - who is currently starring in a new series of BBC reality show The Choir - reckons that their time could be up in the near future.

He said that the group can sing, but that they probably have an "enormous team of people helping them get their singles together".

Malone added: "Whether they’ve got staying power and whether they’ve got the musical longevity, only time will tell."

This year's series of The Choir sees Malone "attempt to teach choral music to people with little singing experience". The first episode aired in the UK last night (November 4).

One Direction meanwhile are due to release their third studio album 'Midnight Memories' on November 25 and embark on their first stadium world tour yet next year.