One Direction touring Europe

One Direction are embarking on a European tour in May 2013.

The British boyband – which consists of Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles and Liam Payne – have become one of the biggest current acts, selling more than 12 million records in one year.

The 18-date tour will take the teenage heartthrobs to key venues across France, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Portugal and Denmark.

The European dates follow their sell-out UK tour in February and March 2013, which will see the boys performing at London's O2 Arena over nine dates.

One Direction have also been busy promoting their second album Take Me Home, which is due for release next month.

The boys debuted the second track taken from their new album today, entitled Little Things.

The romantic ballad was penned by Harry Styles' friend, musician Ed Sheeran.

Along with the highly anticipated single, the band also released a new lyric video to accompany the track.

"Your hand fits in mine/ Like it's made just for me/ But bear this in mind/ it was meant to be," flashes up on the screen as the boys sing in the background.

The new single is also due for release next month.