Katy Perry has joked that One Direction's Niall Horan "owes her" for his progress through the X Factor in 2010.

The Irishman appeared on the show as a solo contestant and managed to go through to the next round due to guest judge Perry's deciding vote.

They have since struck up a friendship, with Horan even quipping that they should get married.

Speaking to BBC Radio 1, Perry said that the singer's "cute" face helped him through on the X Factor - although his mug isn't exactly babyish anymore.

She said: "I love Niall. I think people forget that I chose him! He owes me. I was a judge on the X Factor and it was up to my vote to see if he could go through. I was sceptical but then he made this cute little face – that doesn’t look like that cute little face any more. It’s more a grown up face. It’s a bit more like 'I’m at the gym. I like to get buff at 9am'."

The 'Roar' star also dismissed speculation that she went on a date with Horan in New York recently, joking: "Oh yeah, I’m pregnant with his children right now!"

Perry meanwhile stars in John Mayer's new video for their romantic duet 'Who You Love' - check it out here.