The 19-year-old singer's life turned upside down in 2010 when he was placed in the boyband on the UK X Factor, with global stardom soon ensuing.

The lads recently announced a worldwide 2014 stadium tour, but speaking to the Irish Herald, father Bobby Horan said that his son hasn't changed a bit despite all the fame. He said:

"The good thing is that he's still the same young fella that left our house in Mullingar that day in 2010."

One Direction are due to play in Horan's homeland Ireland on the 2014 Where We Are tour with a show at Dublin's Croke Park next summer.

Bobby Horan added that he thinks his son will be taken aback when he plays the venue. The proud dad said:

"The only time Niall was in Croke Park was when he auditioned for the X Factor in 2010, but that was in one of the conference rooms. He wasn't on the pitch or in the stands, so I know he's going to be amazed at the size of Croke Park."

The British group performed at the Mediolanum Arena to a packed crowd as they continue their Take Me Home European tour.

Speaking on Twitter post-gig, Niall Horan said that their fans had been particularly enthusiastic all day - meaning that come stage-time, the crowd was hyped. He said:

"Milano was epic! U guys were crazy!"

The Irishman later added: "Absolutely mental in Milan last night! Knew it was gona be! I could tell by the rampage of our fans in the streets in the daytime."

Next up on One Direction's touring schedule is a show in Barcelona on Wednesday night (May 22).

The band won the Top Group, Top New Artist and Top Pop Artist awards at the ceremony in Las Vegas last night (May 19).

The news seems to have sat well with Niall Horan, who gushed on Twitter today (May 20):

"Wow ! Wake up and find out that we've won 3 billboard awards! Can't believe it! Thank you so much best fans ever ! Love you soo much xxxxxxx."

He continued: "Top group, top new artist, top pop artist! You guys are the best! Thanks very much! Means so much!"

Other winners on the night included Taylor Swift, who bagged eight awards, and Justin Bieber, who won three.

The former meanwhile made headlines after being seen sticking her tongue out at an embrace between the Canadian and former girlfriend Selena Gomez.

The chart-topping boyband - also comprising Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne - are currently on their Take Me Home world tour, and played in Munich last night (May 17).

The five-piece landed in Italy today to play two shows in Verona and Milan on the 19th and 20th May.

Horan took to Twitter to gush about the band's welcome: "I love Milan, what a beautiful city! And I love Italian food ! Fans were super nice outside today! (sic)."

Earlier in the day, Horan thanked fans for their support in Germany.

He said: "Wazaaappp! Great night in Munich last night! Unbelieveable crowd! (sic)."

Meanwhile, Payne used the social networking site to share his gratitude to One Direction's loyal supporters.

He added: "Munich you were amzinngggg tonight :) so happy to be back on tour :) (sic)."

The 19-year-old singer's life turned upside down in 2010 when he was placed in the boyband on the UK X Factor, with global stardom soon ensuing.

The lads recently announced a worldwide 2014 stadium tour, but speaking to the Irish Herald, father Bobby Horan said that his son hasn't changed a bit despite all the fame. He said:

"The good thing is that he's still the same young fella that left our house in Mullingar that day in 2010."

One Direction are due to play in Horan's homeland Ireland on the 2014 Where We Are tour with a show at Dublin's Croke Park next summer.

Bobby Horan added that he thinks his son will be taken aback when he plays the venue. The proud dad said:

"The only time Niall was in Croke Park was when he auditioned for the X Factor in 2010, but that was in one of the conference rooms. He wasn't on the pitch or in the stands, so I know he's going to be amazed at the size of Croke Park."

The British group performed at the Mediolanum Arena to a packed crowd as they continue their Take Me Home European tour.

Speaking on Twitter post-gig, Niall Horan said that their fans had been particularly enthusiastic all day - meaning that come stage-time, the crowd was hyped. He said:

"Milano was epic! U guys were crazy!"

The Irishman later added: "Absolutely mental in Milan last night! Knew it was gona be! I could tell by the rampage of our fans in the streets in the daytime."

Next up on One Direction's touring schedule is a show in Barcelona on Wednesday night (May 22).

The chart-topping boyband, who announced plans to embark on a major 2014 stadium tour earlier this week, reveal in the clip how grateful they are for the support they continually receive:

Harry says: "Hi guys! We just wanted to send you a quick message to say thank you. We have just announced our stadium tour and we cannot believe it.

"We've been together for about three years and it's all down to you guys that we are able to do this so thank you so, so much."

Louis then added: "We can't wait to see you guys all over the world so thank you very much!"

The Irishman is the only remaining member of the group not have inked art onto his body, with the likes of Harry Styles and Zayn Malik noted for their tattoos.

In a post on Twitter on Sunday (May 12), Horan denied speculation that he had gone under the needle - and suggested that he won't be doing so any time soon. The singer said:

"By the way I didn't get a tattoo! Not plannin either."

As previously reported, Horan was previously quoted as saying that he thought about getting 'Made in Ireland' inked onto his bottom - but it was too "squidgy" to get tattooed.

One Direction are well known for their love of British food and drink whilst away on tour and Irishman Horan is much the same.

The singer revealed today (May 10) that he was sent a batch of Twinings tea in the post.

On closer inspection, however, the boxes are printed with the caption 'Niall Horan & One Direction'.

The blurb on the box also appears to read: "Naturally caffeine free...that's what makes you beautiful!"

Speaking about the custom made tea, the 'Kiss You' star said: "Thanks very much @TwiningsTeaUK! love the ole lemon and ginger tea! Love the boxes aswell haha."

The boyband are currently touring mainland Europe and they played in Antwerp, Belgium on Wednesday (May 1).

It seems, however, that an impromptu signing session was so busy that the safety of fans was compromised, meaning that the lads had to retreat back inside.

Tweeting an apology, Horan said:

"Tried t sign as many as I could for you guys out there! Those barriers were gonna crash! Sorry! We'll see u tonight at the gig! Love u!"

The incident comes only weeks after the Irishman revealed that he doesn't like being crowded by fans.

As previously reported, bandmate Harry Styles had to recently navigate a scrum of delirious fans in France.

The singer is an early favourite to win this year's series after performing One Direction's recent single 'Little Things'.

Speaking to The Metro, O'Keefe revealed that he auditioned for the X Factor in 2010 when 'Kiss You' star Niall Horan was also applying for the show.

He added that seeing One Direction become so huge over the last couple of years has spurred him on to find his own fame. O'Keefe said:

"I auditioned for X Factor the same year as Niall Horan. I was standing in the queue with him."

The singer added: "It drove me a lot more, seeing how far he went and how far that he got from the boy that I met in the queue, it showed that could be me as well. It didn't really put me down, it drove me more to do well."

The respect is mutual, it seems, with Horan tweeting on Sunday (April 21): "Jordan o'keefe from bgt last night...first of all thanks for doin little things bro! and thats a serious you've got on ya bro!"

The group have been active since forming on the X Factor in 2010 and it seems the lads haven't fallen out yet.

Speaking to We Love Pop, Horan said that the quintet are at a point where they know where to stop when it comes to joking with or irritating their bandmates.

However, it seems petty squabbles do break out whilst the boys are together. The Irishman said:

"We've got to the stage now where we know each other's boundaries. If there's an argument, it's over what's on the radio, or, 'Turn up the window, it's freezing'."

He continued: "Zayn has this thing about getting into the car at six o'clock in the morning and turning the window down. I'm like, 'Are you actually serious?!'."

One Direction meanwhile are currently on the UK leg of their Take Me Home world tour and are due to play in Glasgow tonight (April 12).

The boyband have performed at numerous massive venues over the last two years, including a number of shows at London's gigantic O2 Arena.

However, the singer told We Love Pop that he often gets flustered by playing gigs where there are a lot of fans. He said:

"I'm quite claustrophobic and I don't like everyone crowding around and shouting the same questions."

Horan continued: "I get a little bit scared sometimes. It's all good as we've got a good security team."

Next up on One Direction's tour schedule is Glasgow's 10,000+ capacity venue SECC.

Some members of One Direction became friends with the Canadian megastar whilst in the US last year, spending time at his house.

Speaking on Twitter, Horan said that he misses Bieber's director Alfredo Flores, revealing:

"Just spoke to my bro @AlfredoFlores! Miss those guys! can't wait t hang again!"

This prompted a fan to question whether the Irishman secretly meant that he misses Bieber, to which he replied:

"Yeh that's wat I was implying! I miss both of em!"