Music mogul Simon Cowell has admitted in a radio interview that he never predicted One Direction’s success.

He spoke to Steve Wright on BBC Radio 2 and spoke of his other projects including Britain’s Got Talent as well as speaking highly favourable of One Direction as well as fellow X Factor alumni Little Mix.

He said: "We never predicted this. You could never predict this. All we knew is that we had five talented guys. They're interesting, both One Direction and Little Mix. They're very smart, these contestants. They knew exactly what kind of records they wanted to make. They're a really good example of having success but staying grounded."

He also spoke of how he came about to think of the premise of BGT saying: "The true story is I was watching a show called Fame Academy," he said.

"This girl came on and literally murdered 'Get Here' by Oleta Adams. I'm watching it in my kitchen and I actually had this thought in my head, "I'd rather watch a dancing dog than watch that." And that seriously was the idea that got into my head to start ...Talent."

The live final of this year’s series will air this evening.