X Factor have debunked Liam Payne's recent claim that Simon Cowell created One Direction with him in mind by releasing brand new footage.
The never-before-seen clip shows Simon, along with fellow judges Louis Walsh and Nicole Scherzinger, literally putting the boyband together using photo cards back in 2010.
Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan had all auditioned for the popular ITV show as solo contestants - but ended up becoming one of the world's most famous and successful boybands.
Speaking of the band's early days, Liam told Logan Paul’s Impaulsive podcast last month that he was the original One Direction member.
The 28-year-old shared: “From what I’ve heard part of the reason One Direction was made was because of Simon’s promise to me. That in two years I’ll make this work for you.
“So he kind of started with my face and worked out around the rest. I’ve never told this story before.”
US YouTuber Logan exclaimed: “Wow, you were the inception?” to which Liam replies: “I was the honorary member of One Direction, yes.”
Liam added: “He [Simon] told me that story himself in his house.”
However, new footage released on the official X Factor YouTube page on Saturday appears to contradict his claim.
In the four-minute video, a camera hovers above Simon, Louis and Nicole as they sift through various named photo cards and form One Direction - but Liam is not the first person added to the group.
It's actually Niall who is placed in the line-up first, followed by Harry.
"We liked him," Louis is heard saying as Nicole says: "Put him with him," referring to Niall.
"Yes 100 per cent, Nicole's right," Simon adds as she responds: "Yes!"
"They looked together," Louis says as Nicole continues: "They're the cutest boyband ever, I love it! The little girls are gonna love them!"
They then add Louis' card to the list as manager Louis explains: "What we're trying to do is... if we've got a really good boy band, a really good vocal group... a male group..."
"I think they'll be really great in a boyband together, they're like little stars and you can't get rid of little stars you know?" Nicole says as Louis continues sifting through cards.
He then becomes particularly excited as he comes across Liam's card.
"Uh uh uh," he says as Nicole starts clapping her hands.
"I think they he would definitely shine, I think he could be the leader," Nicole says of Liam as Simon replies: "He thinks he's better than anyone else in that list."
"No he does Simon yeah. He has the confidence but he's good, he's consistent," Louis replies.
"That looks good," Simon says of the foursome as Louis adds: "That looks great," while Nicole comments: "It looks unbelievable."
Louis then announces: "Zayn?" as he holds up his card and Simon responds: "Now that is a good idea."
Placing his hard on all five cards lined up, Simon says: "Now that is the category I want, is them."
"As long as they gel," Louis says, before adding: "That could be good actually."
