Sir Paul warns One Direction over becoming 'the next Beatles'

Fab Five? One Direction (top) have received a Beatlemania-like reaction from fans on both sides of the Atlantic (Getty Images)

Sir Paul McCartney has warned chart sensations One Direction about the "pressure" of being the next big thing.

It comes after suggestions that the young boyband are provoking a Beatlemania-style reaction in the US and Canada.

The 'What Makes You Beautiful' hitmakers have been mobbed during public appearances on the other side of the Atlantic and last week became the first British group to debut at number one in the US.

Sir Paul said today: "There are so many bands who all get called 'the next Beatles'. Suddenly it puts an awful lot of pressure on them to be the next Beatles."

Speaking to ITV1's Daybreak, he continued: "Oasis were 'the next Beatles' once, if you remember. It's a pressure, because suddenly you've got to live up to all the things that we did, and it was a different time.

"So let's just call them 'the next terrific band'."

Sir Paul, 69, did wish them well with their career in the States.

"They're doing well in America. It's good. Good luck, lads," he added.

PA