The X Factor runners up One Direction have said that they've been left to work on their debut album without management pressure.

The boyband have flying back and forth to LA since the new year to work on their forthcoming new album, apparently without too much interference from big boss Simon Cowell.

Speaking about SiCo's input, One Direction's Harry Styles told Metro: "We speak to him a little bit every now and again."

Band member Louis Tomlinson agreed, saying:

"Simon's the kind of guy that just needs to check in and make sure everything is flowing right and everyone is working the hardest they can work.

"I think Simon wants us to be the artists we want to be and develop our own sound without being too generic."

The boys are currently playing shows across the country on the X Factor live tour, and are due to release their as-yet untitled debut album later this year.