X Factor's Louis Walsh on One Direction Split: Harry Styles will be the biggest star

Having played a part in their meteoric rise to fame, Louis Walsh knows a bit about One Direction.

The X Factor judge, who previously admitted that he wasn't surprised by Zayn Malik's departure, has claimed that Harry Styles will be the standout star when the boyband finally call it a day.

"Harry's a star. He will be a global star and I think he's going to do movies," told Mirror Celebs. "He's got the ambition, the talent and the drive. He knows how to work the room and he's nice to everybody.

He added: "I've heard nothing but good things about Harry. Niall will do well, but Harry is the star.

In March, Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne and Niall Horan vowed to continue as a foursome after Bradford-born Malik announced he was leaving the group after five years, claiming he wanted to be a "normal 22-year-old".

"The past five years have been beyond amazing, we've gone through so much together, so we will always be friends", they said in a statement."The four of us will now continue. We're looking forward to recording the new album and seeing all the fans on the next stage of the world tour."

But Walsh, who was on the X Factor judging panel when Once Direction came third in 2010, said that it's only a matter of time before Styles left his bandmates behind.

"They have to know that, I mean come on. Every night it's all about Harry. If they were the Rolling Stones he is Mick Jagger. He is the star, he is the focal point. They've all got their roles and fan bases."

The Hometown manager also had some choice words for music mogul Simon Cowell, who he says has lost "control" of the band.

Weighing in on Tomlinson's recent Twitter feud with Naughty Boy, he said: "I would have given them a good b**locking – they would know never to do anything like that. I would probably sack them."