One Direction were just lucky: Louis Walsh

London, Mar 13 (PTI) One Direction's success is down to luck more than talent, according to former "The X Factor" judge Louis Walsh.

Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik were put together on the 2010 series of the reality TV show and although they came third in the competition, judge Simon Cowell gave them a recording contract and they have since enjoyed worldwide success, global stardom and sold-out tours, reported Metro.

However, according to Walsh, who was a judge on that series, their success story has little to do with the boys' talent and is simply through luck and Cowell's management.

When asked who his favourite member was, Louis said, "None of them. I wasn't their manager, so I didn't care.

They're the five luckiest guys in the world. Picked from obscurity, put together - Simon made them into what they were.

He'll just need to get five more."

Walsh was dropped from "The X Factor" for the 2015 series.