Iconic band Duran Duran are currently promoting their forthcoming new album 'Paper Gods', which is due to be released in September, and opened up about how sympathetic they are towards other pop acts. 

Simon Le Bon told Billboard that it's difficult to be a pop band because people immediately have so many preconceived notions about who you are or what you're doing: "We were the last band people thought would carry on. They thought we were a flash in the pan, contrived, probably put together by management."

He went onto talk about his sympathy for One Direction, adding that there's one member in particular that he has a lot of respect for: "They are a cash cow for so many people... there's a huge pressure to never take a break. But Harry Styles seems to be a decent chap. That makes me think he is handling it all very well."

Duran Duran, meanwhile recently announced details of a full UK headlining tour that is set to kick off on November 27 with a concert at the Manchester Arena. Check out the band's full tour schedule below:

• November 27 - Manchester, Arena
• November 28 - Leeds, First Direct Arena
• November 30 - Cardiff, Motorpoint Arena
• December 2 - Brighton, Centre
• December 4 - Birmingham, Genting Arena
• December 5 - Newcastle, Metro Radio Arena
• December 6 - Glasgow, The SSE Hydro
• December 8 - London, The O2
• December 9 - Bournemouth, International Centre
• December 11 - Nottingham, Capital FM Arena
• December 12 - Liverpool, Echo Arena

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Watch Duran Duran's music video for 'Pressure Off' below: