One Direction are one of the X Factor’s best success stories and it’s pretty easy to forget that Niall Horan, Liam Tomlinson, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Zayn Malik all auditioned for the show very much solo.

Five years ago to this day, little Niall rocked up to the Dublin auditions to showcase his talent, singing his rendition of NeYo’s So Sick.

“I want to be like big names in the world like Beyonce or Justin Bieber, he’s the perfect example,” the adorable 16-year-old told the cameras.

“I’ve been compared to him a few times and it’s not a bad comparison.

“I want to sell out arenas and make an album and work with the some of the best artists in the world.”

Despite his determination, Niall received mixed critique from the judges and with Simon and Louis’ yes and Cheryl Cole’s no, his fate lay in the hands of the guest judge Katy Perry…

“I think you’re adorable and you have charisma. I just think that maybe you should work on it – you’re only sixteen,” she said.

“To be successful you need talent… and you have a seed of it. Of course, you’re in – don’t let us down!”

One Direction
Later that year Niall Horan stepped out as member of the world-dominating One Direction (Yui Mok/PA)

Today 1D fans across the globe are celebrating the day Niall first stepped on stage and the rest, they say, is history.