Niall Horan insisted he didn’t feel lonely without his One Direction bandmates as he kicked off Radio 1′s Teen Awards.

The singer, a surprise guest, opened the show with a rendition of his new song This Town.

Niall took to the stage armed with just a guitar – in stark contrast to his days performing with the group.

Niall Horan (Joel Ryan/Invision/AP/PA)
Niall Horan (Joel Ryan/Invision/AP/PA)

The sound cut briefly during the performance, leaving the audience to sing along, but it did not appear to phase Niall.

Asked by host Nick Grimshaw if he felt lonely performing on stage without his bandmates, he said “definitely not”.

He added: “It’s hard to feel lonely with 10,000 people in front of you.”

Meanwhile, X Factor contestant Honey G was a hot topic on the red carpet ahead of the ceremony at the SSE Wembley Arena.

Honey G.
Honey G (Syco/Thames/Dymond/PA)

Xtra Factor hosts Rylan Clark-Neal and Matt Edmondson denied that she was in character, insisting “that is her” and she is “totally legit”.

“She’s lovely, she always goes out of the way to say hello,” Rylan said. “One of the nicest people you’ll ever meet and as somebody who has come from the show and got a career – that’s the way to do it.”

He added: “We’ve seen her without the glasses, we’ve seen her without the hat and she looks different.

“But she’s still like ‘Yo man, thank you so much. Thank you so much for repping for me’.”

Rylan Clark-Neal and Matt Edmondson (Matt Crossick / PA Archive/PA Images)
Rylan Clark-Neal and Matt Edmondson (Matt Crossick / PA Archive/PA Images)

Former X Factor judge Nick admitted he had not been watching the show but tuned in last week to see Honey G.

He said he was “confused” by the rapping contestant, adding: “I don’t get it.”

But the Radio 1 Breakfast Show host said: “I think it’s an entertainment show. You’ve got to have those things. That’s what everyone is talking about. That makes people watch it.”