Duran Duran say One Direction remind them of themselves.

Duran Duran

Duran Duran

The English rock legends believe the 'Little Things' hitmakers - who recently announced their decision to take an extended hiatus after five years of unstoppable pop success - may be following in their footsteps as the group's current career struggles appear to resemble the ones they faced 30 years ago.

Singer Simon Le Bon, 56, told The Daily Star newspaper: "I see a lot of us in One Direction.

"Duran were one of the first bands where everybody knew each member since The Beatles. Then you have the 1D member who is smoking dope in the back of a car, one member who leaves to live a so-called 'normal life'. It's a rerun of things that we did."

The four-piece - consisting of Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson - announced they were separating for at least a year to work on solo projects.

The decision came several weeks after their former bandmate Zayn Malik announced his shock departure from the group, which was formed five years ago on 'The X Factor', in March.

Meanwhile, Duran Duran - who have never disbanded but have had a new line-up numerous times - believe their own success would be the same had they emerged today.

Keyboardist Nick Rhodes, 53, explained: "We are by nature survivors, that is patently obvious by the fact that we are here 35 years later. I think we would have fared very well in today's world."

Duran Duran - consisting of Simon, Nick, John Taylor and Roger Taylor - will kick off their UK arena tour in November and their new album 'Paper Gods' is out today (11.09.15).

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