5SOS and The Vamps suggested by Billboard as 'the next One Direction'

The likes of 5 Seconds of Summer and The Vamps are included on a list of who Billboard think could be the next One Direction.

The British-Irish group's future was shrouded in doubt recently when singer Zayn Malik left the band.

They will continue as a four-piece, but Billboard have coined a list of who they think could the the heirs to the One Direction throne.

Writing about 5 Seconds of Summer, they opined:

"The most obvious heirs to One Direction are the four Australian goofballs who have opened for 1D on multiple tours, and who scored a No.1 album debut with their self-titled LP last year.

"5SOS are already young heartthrobs, are working on a follow-up album, will be headlining arenas this summer and can pull in pop-punk fans as well as the teenybopper set."

Speaking about The Vamps, Billboard said: "British pop band the Vamps are playing arenas overseas and have opened for artists like Taylor Swift and Austin Mahone, and although the quartet has yet to score a U.S. hit, the group has already recorded tracks with North American stars like Demi Lovato and Shawn Mendes.

"Like 5 Seconds of Summer, the Vamps are an overseas product that prides itself on playing its own instruments; time will tell whether or not they can also establish a presence in the States."

The other acts on the list are AJR, R5, Rixton, Union J, After Romeo and The Janoskians.

Watch 5SOS and The Vamps in action below: