The Backstreet Boys have given their thoughts on One Direction - and it's all positive.

The veteran boyband might have been threatened by the young group, but it seems the US stars are happy to see the new breed of pop groups flourish.

Speaking to Cosmopolitan, the '(Everybody) Backstreet's Back' fivesome said of One Direction:

"Where they are is very reminiscent of where we were when we first started and we're happy for them - they're talented."

Referring to the groups' individual members, the Backstreet Boys added: "Nick was the Harry Styles of the group. He's the bad boy though? He's the one who dates celebrities and gets tattoos at two in the morning."

They weren't quite so complimentary about the newly formed UK pop supergroup McBusted, however, saying:

"McBusted?! Who? That's a funny name though. It sounds like a McDonalds sandwich. Who are they? Hilarious."