One Direction: Cheeky Harry Styles grabs Niall Horan's crotch at 2015 Billboard Music Awards

Harry Styles chose the cheekiest way possible to celebrate One Direction's win at the 2015 Billboard Music Awards and his bandmate Niall Horan was the recipient of the singer's affections.

After the No Control singers were announced as the winners of the top duo/group category, 21-year-old Styles was caught on camera giving his Irish bandmate a hug before playfully grabbing the star's manhood.

Once on stage, the boy band adopted more of a serious tone when member Liam Payne dedicated the award to their former bandmate Zayn Malik who quit the group in March.

Payne, 22, told the audience: "There's one more person to share this with and that's our brother Zayn, so thank you very much."

Horan added: "This is absolutely incredible and it's an honour to be here in this category and come out as the winner. Thank you to our super fans, we love you so much and will see you soon."

Announcing his sudden exit from 1D after five years, 22-year-old Malik explained that he wanted to spend time out of the spotlight to be a "normal" person again. He is believed to be working on solo material with British producer Naughty Boy.

During the boy band's appearance on The Late Late Show With James Corden earlier in May, singer Louis Tomlinson revealed that he and Malik have buried the hatchet after a very public Twitter row.

All eyes were on the What Makes You Beautiful hitmakers as they made their first awards show appearance since Malik's departure and eagle-eyed Directioners noticed one rather embarrassing moment for Payne.

At the end of the group's acceptance speech, the Wolverhampton-native tried to continue his speech and moved towards the microphone but he was cut-off by the music sending his bandmates in hysterics.

Watch One Direction's acceptance speech below: