Harry Styles from One Direction said he has left the The X Factor with “four new best friends”.

The One Direction lads did not know each other before entering the competition, but thanks to Nicole Scherzinger and Simon Cowell they could be best friends for life.

Styles, Liam Payne, Zain Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan finished third on the ITV1 talent show, losing out to Rebecca Ferguson and eventual winner Matt Cardle.

However, the band remained upbeat following their exit, insisting that they have no plans to break up and go solo.

“Us five being put together is the best thing that’s happened to all of us,” said Styles in an interview on the Xtra Factor. “We leave with four new best friends.”

Zain Malik said: “I think One Direction will definitely stay together. This is just the beginning. We have a bright future.”

Tomlinson added: “The two people we went out to are amazing people and amazing singers. They thoroughly deserved it.

“Matt is incredible. He is an amazing singer and an amazing guy. He’s worked hard on his music career for years and this is where it has got him.”