One Direction Named Most Popular Music Act of 2013
Niall Horan calls it "incredible news"
One Direction have been crowned the most popular music act on Planet Earth in 2013 ahead of Katy Perry, Eminem and Justin Timberlake.
Liam, Niall, Louis, Harry and Zayn were named the Global Recording Artists of 2013 – a brand new award that factors in music streams, digital downloads and physical CD sales.
The IFPI, which promotes the international recording industry, awarded them the prestigious honour yesterday.
An elated Niall Horan said: "Incredible news. It's great to have a chart that includes everything from iTunes and record stores, to YouTube and Spotify.
"Again a huge thank you to all of our fans for such an amazing 2013."
Last year, One Direction hit number one on both sides of the Atlantic with their third album ‘Midnight Memories’ and became the first group in US history to debut at number one with their first three records.
Their singles ‘Story of My Life’ and ‘Best Song Ever’ notched up over 300million YouTube views between them and 1D were also one of the most played artists on Spotify.
Eminem is in second spot after the worldwide success of his acclaimed eighth album ‘The Marshall Mathers LP 2’, Justin Timberlake is third and Bruno Mars and Katy Perry complete the top five.
One Direction ‘Story of My Life’
Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images