Simon Cowell pleased that One Direction aren't a 'scripted' boyband

Simon Cowell says he hates boybands that are "scripted" - and he's pleased that One Direction aren't one of them.

The group were pieced together on the UK X Factor in 2010 from five solo singers and they have since achieved global fame.

However, label boss Cowell told the Radio Times that One Direction aren't the same as boybands who are told what to say and what to do.

He said: "I think it’s normally a boyband that’s been put together by a manager, and told what to wear, what to say, they all come running in and everything they say is scripted, and they pretend to laugh at each other’s jokes, I hate that.

"I’d rather find something much more raw – like we had with One Direction. We had five talented guys, we never once said ‘wear this, say this, do this’ – they had that relationship. That’s my most annoying thing – I loathe those people."

The X Factor meanwhile is due to return to UK TV screens soon, with Cowell returning alongside Cheryl.

Watch One Direction on the X Factor below: