Ronan Keating wished he had enjoyed the first six years of Boyzone more.
The 36-year-old star reminisced about his early career when he went for dinner with One Direction's Niall Horan, and he says he can relate to the blonde hunk, as he also found success at a young age as part of a boy band.
The singer - who is currently on the judges panel on the Australian version of 'The X Factor' - understands the extend of hard work which goes into being in a boy band and wishes he had got to appreciate his career when he was younger.
Ronan said: "One Direction came on 'X Factor' and Niall and I hung out a little bit and went out for dinner. He's a great lad. They're living the dream, but they're working so hard.
"I know what it's like when you don't get to appreciate what you're doing. I wish we had enjoyed those first six years of Boyzone more, but 1D look like they're having a good time."
Ronan also thinks 1D - which also includes Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Liam Payne - will have a long career if they are smart about the way they behave.
He added to Closer magazine: "I think they could be around in 20 years if they're clever. It's healthy to step back every now and then. Otherwise it just blows up. You end up wanting solo careers and different things if you don't have time out. When you're living together in that melting pot it's full on."
Tagged in Boyzone Ronan Keating One Direction