Directing Directioners: Obsessive One Direction fans subject of new documentary from Channel 4

"One Directioners", the name for 1D fans, kiss a waxwork of boy band member Harry Styles at Madame Tussauds (Getty Images)

If One Direction fans can't get enough of forthcoming 3D documentary on the boys, This Is Us, from Morgan Spurlock, then they can look forward to another factual programme on the boy band from Channel 4 - and can expect to play a starring role themselves.

I Heart One Direction, a one-off documentary, will feature some of the group’s biggest and most passionate fans from around the world.

The piece will focus on “Directioners”, a new breed of obsessive fans, like teeny boppers but with social media, who feel close to their idols thanks to Twitter and Facebook.

“This film will offer a fascinating insight into a new breed of idol worship. Social media has created huge communities which connect millions of fans in a way that was never possible before,” said Tayte Simpson, executive producer of Mentorn Media, the company making the documentary.

“One Direction’s use of social media to diarise their inner thoughts gives fans a sense of intimacy and ownership, fuelling strong emotions,” he added.

Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik have over 10 million followers on Twitter and are one of the biggest global pop phenomenons since The Beatles.

I Heart One Direction will be directed by the award-winning Daisy Asquith, whose previous credits include Britain My New Home and Kimberley: Young Mum 10 Years On.

The film is due air later in the summer, alongside 3D film This Is Us which is due to be released in UK cinemas on 30 August.