It's lonely at the top: One Direction

London: They are the world's biggest boyband at the height of their success but the stars of One Direction say their stardom has brought a crippling loneliness.

The group have been performing their Where We Are world tour since it kicked off in Colombia in April, and singers Louis Tomlinson, 22, Liam Payne, 21, and Niall Horan, also 21, have spoken about how isolating it is being away from home, reports suggest.

"The tour bus is a little escape, that little back lounge we sit in," Louis said.

"Hotel rooms can often be lonely. It's just an easier way to deal with it all. I can't really do 'on my own' time, I have to have someone's attention," he added.

Bandmate Niall agrees and adds that while the band may be adored by millions across the world their fans' attention often compounds the problem of loneliness.

"It can be quite frustrating being stuck in a hotel," says Niall.

The group, which also includes Zayn Malik and Harry Styles , were dogged by rumours that they would soon split after Simon Cowell hinted they would go their separate ways after their next album.