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NIALL Horan made his name as One Direction's happy-go-lucky Irish charmer.

Now he's doing his bit for charity and taking part in Soccer Aid 2019. Here's the lowdown on the talented singer-songwriter.

Niall Horan is a 25-year-old singer-songwriter who grew up in Mullinger, Ireland.

He has one older brother, Greg Horan, and the pair were predominantly raised by his father after his parents divorced.

The star learned to play the guitar from YouTube videos - and lists his influences as Michael Bublé, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.

Niall is turning footballer for the day for the Soccer Aid fundraiser at Stamford Bridge in London on June 16.

Founded by Robbie Williams, Soccer Aid for Unicef has raised more than £30million for charity since it was founded over 12 years ago.

The funding goes towards making sure more children in impoverished countries can spend more time at play.

Usain Bolt, former Towie star Mark Wirght, Westlife's Nicky Byrne and Brazilian footballing legend Roberto Carlos are among those on the time sheet for this Sunday's (June 16) tournament

which kicks off on ITV at 6.30pm.

Niall was urged to audition for the X Factor in 2010 by his aunt at the age of 16.

He wowed the judges with his performance of Ne-Yo's So Sick but during the deliberation process for the live finals, Simon Cowell thought he would work better as part of a group.

As a result, he joined Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Liam Payne and Zayn Malik to form One Direction.

The band were hugely successful on the show and, despite placing in third place behind Matt Cardle and Rebecca Ferguson, have become arguably The X Factor's biggest success story.

Simon Cowell signed the band on a reported £2million contract, and in 2011 they released their first album, Up All Night.

The album broke a US record as the first debut album by a British band to ever make their debut at number 1.

In March 2015, the band announced that they would be taking a hiatus so they could all focus on personal projects, and are currently yet to reunite.

In an exclusive interview with The Sun's Dan Wootton, Niall revealed that while the lads haven't put a time limit on the break.

He added: "when that phone call does come - no matter whoever it comes from - we're back again".

Niall signed a record deal with Capitol US, a branch of Universal, in September 2016 and subsequently released three singles This Town, Slow Hands and Too Much To Ask.

He's revealed to The Sun's Dan Wootton that he chose to cut ties with Simon's label Syco for a "fresh start".

He was awarded the Favourite Breakout Artist Award for his new material in 2017 and now he's released his debut album Flicker.

In a post to his fans on October 20, he wrote: "This is the first time I've put my thoughts and emotions on paper and then on to a record and it feels really good."

He also revealed to The Sun that the album was inspired by a secret lover he had while in One Direction which has set tongues wagging as to who the lady might be.

In October 2017 Niall revealed to The Sun that he is "extremely single" after his secret passionate affair while in the world's biggest boy band.

Previously he was linked to Ellie Goulding - and it is rumoured that Ed Sheeran's song Don't comes from Niall's dalliance with Ellie while she was with Ed.

Other girlfriends connected to Niall include Barbara Palvin,  Jessica Sefaty, Olympia Vallance and keen dancer Celine Helen Vandyke.

A keen sportsman and friend of tennis legend Novak Djokovic, Niall is often spotted at various game and play-offs.

He founded his own golfing management company, in Northern Ireland, called Modest! as well.

In addition, the Derby County football club supporter took part in UNICEF's Soccer Aid 2016 celebrity football game.

He is also collecting a property portfolio and reportedly owns a £2.3 million mansion in LA.

As of 2017, Niall is thought to be worth £51m, making him slightly less rich than the other members of the band. Well, all except Louis Tomlinson - whose worth is rising as he stars on The X

Factor as a judge.

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