Simon Cowell says he would let One Direction have a year off if they were being overworked.

The boyband are seemingly stuck in a constant cycle of recording and touring at the moment, with the group set to release their third album in three years before Christmas.

Speaking to Fox, Cowell confessed that if any of his acts were feeling the strain and wanted time off from the spotlight, then he would be happy to grant it. The Syco boss said:

"If I ever thought one of our artists was being overworked or over-promoted you would just have to say to them, 'You’ve made enough money, take a year off'. You have to be sensible about it."

One Direction, however, are showing no signs of slowing down their spectacular rise to global fame.

They have just announced the release of new single 'Best Song Ever', which will feature in the group's upcoming 3D film This Is Us.