Louis Tomlinson: Role model pressure is relentless

Louis Tomlinson finds it tough to get his head around being a role model.

The 22-year-old singer shot to fame in 2010 when he was grouped together with Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik to form new boyband One Direction on the UK version of The X Factor.

The boys have gone on to enjoy huge success but they were rocked by a drugs scandal earlier this year, when Louis and Zayn were captured on camera smoking what appeared to be marijuana.

"It's a bit of an awkward one. We took this opportunity going on The X Factor, and you never intend to be a role model and then all of a sudden you are," Louis explained to British newspaper Metro.

"It's a tough thing to get your head around but that's the reality of it and you've got a responsibility."

The boys take their status as role models seriously and know their young fan base hangs on to their every word.

However, recently they've opted for a more grown-up sound, and the band's new album Four showcases this new direction.

"I think we are trying to push for that [being treated as adults]. In terms of credibility, that's what we are trying to do with our music. We feel like there has been movement on each album and that we've grown - the music has grown with us. That's what we are trying to do," Louis outlined.

"At the same time, we're not trying to force anything. We completely understand why we are viewed as kids... because we were on X Factor at that age," added Zayn.