One Direction kicked off their sell-out 'Take Me Home' world tour yesterday with two gigs at London’s 02 Arena in one day (February 23).

The band performed the 3pm gig for their youngest fans, followed by an evening performance.

The UK dates are part of a world tour, with 117 dates, 54 of them in Europe. The tour will see the band perform in front of approximately 2 million fans.

The band performed their Comic Relief single, 'One Way Or Another', and Styles shamed anyone who downloaded the charity single illegally, he said: “Shame on you”.

Styles, 19, appeared on stage in a black T-shirt bearing the Rolling Stones’ famous lips logo. 

More than 20,000 1D fans and their parents had packed into the venue in South East London, as the band arrived on stage suspended by wires.

Before a backdrop of the London skyline, with landmarks such as Big Ben and the Shard, fans were treated to a spectacular two-hour show including at least eight costume changes..

Hit single 'Up All Night', was their opening number for the show, and ­featured videos of the boys, including one of Tomlinson in a fat suit asking people for a hug and another with the lads dressed up as pensioners.

Malik introduced 'Little Things', and Tomlinson played guitar whilst the crowd brandished glow sticks.

One Direction then answered fans' questions sent in via Twitter.

Asked about his favourite Disney movie and Italian food, Styles said he liked pasta carbonara and his favourite movie was baby elephant classic, Dumbo.

His band mates ribbed him by asking: “Are you sure it’s not The Little Mermaid?

Horan asked the band’s adoring fans: “How’s everyone doing here today? I literally can’t believe we are here. This tour – we have put a lot of long, hard work into it, so hopefully you will enjoy it. Be as loud as you can!”

Payne introduced the band’s smash hit, 'More Than This', saying: “Good afternoon London! This place is absolutely huge, it’s amazing. I came here to watch Jay Z and Kanye West. I came here to watch Robbie Williams and now we are.”

During the concert Gemma Styles, Style’s older sister, tweeted: “Watching my little brother play the first arena of a world tour AND I’ve got popcorn. Pretty great afternoon by anyone’s book.”

At one point Tomlinson was desperate for the toilet, he told the packed crowd: “I really needed a wee for six songs now”.

Liam said it was “mesmerising” to watch the audience during 'Little Things', and Styles thanked the crowd for making the day so special.

Horan said: “It’s these moments we think, ‘Wow, we’re here’. This is our job – to stand in front of you and sing.”

Watch fan footage of One Direction performing 'C'mon, C'mon'  and 'Change My Mind' yesterday (February 23) at the O2 below: