Their debut single ‘What Makes You Beautiful’ shot to No.1 on iTunes within 15 minutes of being released and achieved the biggest Week 1 sales of 2011, selling 153,965 copies.

Their second book, ‘Dare to Dream’, released this week, also instantly rocketed to No.1.

After months of fevered anticipation and levels of hysteria not witnessed for decades, One Direction, the UK's most exciting new pop band, announce a string of live dates across the UK and Ireland this December and January.

The 21 date tour will see One Direction making stops at various key venues around the country, including London's HMV Apollo, Manchester's O2 Apollo, Liverpool's Echo Arena and Cardiff's Motorpoint Arena. The tour wraps with shows in Ireland at the O2 in Dublin and the Waterfront in Belfast.

The boys are no strangers to performing to huge crowds after wowing fans on The X Factor Live Tour earlier this year. Their first headline tour will see the band performing songs from their debut album, released this November, alongside some of their favorite covers and a few surprises.

Continues.

One Direction will be performing at the following venues on their debut headline tour:

DEC-2011

Wed 21-Dec Wolverhampton Civic Hall

Thurs 22-Dec Manchester 02 Apollo

Fri 23-Dec Manchester 02 Apollo

Fri 23-Dec Manchester 02 Apollo-Matinee

JAN-2012

Tues 03-Jan Bournemouth BIC

Wed 04-Jan Birmingham NIA Arena

Thu 05-Jan Plymouth Pavilions

Sat 07-Jan Nottingham Royal Concert Hall

Sat 07-Jan Nottingham Royal Concert Hall-Matinee

Sun 08-Jan Brighton Centre

Tues 10-Jan London HMV Apollo

Wed 11-Jan London HMV Apollo

Fri 13-Jan Glasgow Clyde Auditorium

Sat 14-Jan Glasgow Clyde Auditorium

Sat 14-Jan Glasgow Clyde Auditorium-Matinee

Sun 15-Jan Liverpool Echo Arena

Tue 17-Jan Newcastle City Hall

Wed 18-Jan Blackpool Opera House

Fri 20-Jan Sheffield City Hall

Sat 21-Jan Cardiff Motorpoint Arena

Sun 22-Jan London HMV Apollo

Tues 24 –Jan Dublin 02

Wed 25 –Jan Belfast Waterfront

Thurs 26-Jan Belfast Waterfront

Tickets go on sale Saturday 1st October at 10am. Official links from www.onedirectionmusic.com

For Further Information Please Contact:

Simon Jones

hackfordjones

Tel: 0207 636 8715

www.hackfordjonespr.com