Simon Cowell admits One Direction have a "tough" job and are feeling the strain of constantly touring.
Simon Cowell insists One Direction are still "amazingly nice boys" despite their success and "tough" job they have touring the entire world.
The music boss, who put together the 'Midnight Memories' band on 'The X Factor' and has been responsible for their global success, has reassured fans they haven't "lost the plot" after Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson were filmed smoking a cannabis-laced cigarette.
Simon accepts 1D - also made up of Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Liam Payne - have a tough job because they are so in demand around the world, but he is adamant they can cope with their gruelling schedule.
One Direction They really are hard workers, they really like their fans, they're really respectfulIn an interview on UK station BBC Radio 2, he said: "Obviously it's a private matter for me to deal with. But all I can say, from my own experience with the boys, is that I have worked with artists who have a few hits and they can turn into monsters, this lot haven't. They really are hard workers, they really like their fans, they're really respectful. They are amazingly nice boys considering how much their lives have changed."
Asked if they are working too hard, he replied: "It's very difficult, because when they're in the situation they're in, where literally the whole world wants them to perform, you've got this opportunity in your life, it's very difficult to turn it down. They do get rest periods and they are treated well, but it's a tough job, I'm not going to deny it.
The 54-year-old star hopes people will cut the two boys some slack and appreciate what a great advert for Britain the band are.
He said: "I wouldn't want anyone to think they've really lost the plot or turned into horrible people, because they really haven't.
"Right now we've just got to celebrate the fact that in just three years they're performing at Wembley Stadium, which is mind-blowing."
One Direction play three consecutive dates at London's Wembley Stadium from tonight (06.05.14).
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