Niall Horan's father believes his son is still the same as he was before joining One Direction.

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."