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One Direction fans may not argue over whether the band are behind the Best Song(s) Ever, but how they were actually formed on The X Factor has always been shrouded in mystery.
What is known is that Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson entered the reality show as solo contestants, but failed to make it to the bootcamp stage.
This was not, however, the end of the road for the fivesome as some behind-the-scenes magic meant they were put together as a pop band and, well, the rest is history.
As well as being one of the most successful acts ever to come out of the former ITV programme, One Direction are one of the best-selling boy bands of all time.
They’re also the first group in the US Billboard 200 history to have their first four albums debut at number one.
So, the question is, who is really behind the magic?
The One Direction boys nearly didn’t make it through the X Factor (Picture: ITV)
To celebrate the What Makes You Beautiful singers 12th birthday, The X Factor UK has published a never-seen-before video on YouTube that finally reveals all.
And it’s not who you might expect.
In the video, judges Louis Walsh and Simon Cowell, as well as guest judge Nicole Scherzinger, are seen deliberating over a series of pictures of wannabe popstars in the seventh season of the show, which aired in 2010.
Simon, 62, is first seen tapping the picture of one hopeful, remarking: ‘I love this guy’ and praising the fact he chose to sing David Bowie’s classic Life on Mars.
But awkwardly the aspiring musician in the photo is neither Harry, Liam, Louis, Niall or Zayn, so clearly he didn’t make the cut.
Simon with the 1D boys back in the day (Picture: Dave Hogan/Getty Images)
In another cringey moment, Simon shares some reservations when Liam’s picture is produced, doubting whether he should join the line-up of what will become One Direction.
This will be a little embarrassing for the 28-year-old singer, who earlier this year claimed on Logan Paul’s Impausible podcast the the band was built around him.
He was, Liam claimed, essentially the first member of One Direction and that X Factor bosses had ‘started with my face and worked around the rest.’
One Direction were a huge success (Picture: Ibl/Shutterstock)
Fans were quick to hit social media to mercilessly mock Liam, with one use sharing fears he had ‘destroying the little hope I had for a One Direction reunion ever occuring.’
But Liam’s ‘face’ kickstarting 1D does not seem to be the case at all in the four-minute long vid, and it is in fact Nicole who jumps to his defence after Simon’s reluctance to add him to the group.
‘I don’t think so I think he would shine,’ the 44-year-old maintains.
One Direction had some absolute bangers (Picture: Broadimage/REX)
Sporting his famous curls and side fringe, Harry Styles, then aged 16, is dicussed by the judges, and instantly earns the seal of approval from Simon.
‘100%, Nicole is right about him [Harry],’ he says.
Harry is then added to a line of photos, which already includes a snap of Niall, leading Nicole to declare: ‘They’re the cutest boys ever.’
Nice one, NIcole (Picture: JC Olivera/Getty Images for iHeartRadio)
Next up is Louis, making them a trio, and once again Nicole is spot on, telling Louis and Simon: ‘The girls are going to love them.’
‘They’ve got just the right look and the right charisma on stage. I think they’ll be really great in a boyband together. They’re like little stars so you can’t get rid of little stars so you put them all together,’ Nicole says, once again right on the money.
And Nicole, being bang on as usual, says: ‘That is unbelievable.’
So there we have it, arguably former The Pussycat Dolls singer made the biggest contribution to the making of One Direction.
Harry has enjoyed a successful solo career since the band ended (Picture: Joseph Okpako/WireImage)
Liam received backlash from 1D fans after claiming the band was ‘formed around his face’ (Picture: JC Olivera/Getty Images)
Fans went into a frenzy when the video was published, with one commenter sharing their delight: ‘Even after 12 years, One Direction remains the best band ever.’
Another said it ‘still hurts a lot’ that they are no longer together, adding: ‘But I’m so happy to say that they truly loved music to the point where I was able to watch Louis in his own concert.’
Niall has also released two albums as a soloist (Picture: Getty)
Louis has been touring to fans around the world with his own music (Picture: Javier Bragado/Redferns)
Zayn officially left the band just before the hiatus began (Picture: Instagram)
‘So after 12 years, it was proven Simon didn’t put them together but Nicole did because she believed in them. “They’re all little stars so you have to put them together,”’ a Directioner shared.
Finally, Zayn is added to the mix, with Simon summing up: ‘The category I want is them.’
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Wishing One Direction happy birthday, a One Direction lover wrote: ‘Since the very first day, it’s proven!! they will rock the world, not only with their talents, but also with their kindness, humbleness and respectful souls.
‘They didn’t win the xfactor back then, but they have won all of our heart. I’m forever proud of them and proud for being in this fandom!!! happy 12 years.’
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