Breakthrough Artist of December 2011: One Direction

Presenting the UK's hottest new boyband.

One Direction may have only finished third on The X Factor in 2010, but that hasn't stopped them from becoming one of the most talked-about new acts around.

Not only did they achieve a best-selling autobiography before releasing a note of music, but they've also toured the UK with their fellow X Factor finalists and landed a lucrative record deal with Simon Cowell's record label Syco.

Their debut single, "What Makes You Beautiful" was released on 11 September 2011, it debuted on UK Singles Chart at #1 with first-week sales 153,965, the highest of 2011. Their second single "Gotta Be You" was released on 13 November 2011. Their debut album titled "Up All Night" was released on 21 November 2011.

One Direction will be touring the United States with Big Time Rush on February and March 2012.