Tears as One Direction heads the other way

IT'S not the first time teenage girls have burst into tears on the arrival of a boy band to our shores.

One Direction

IT'S not the first time teenage girls have burst into tears on the arrival of a boy band to our shores. First there was the Beatles, in 1964, and then came the likes of New Kids on the Block in 1992 and the Backstreet Boys in 2000.

Yesterday it was the turn of British group One Direction, who arrived at Sydney Airport to a giddy, emotional reception. Hundreds of fans lined the arrivals hall with homemade signs, smiles and anticipation.

Some of the more creative proclamations read: "Father Our Children", "Niall, Give Me A Horan Hug" and "Marry Me Harry". Some die-hard fans travelled from interstate and even camped out to catch a glimpse of their pop heartthrobs.

But tears were shed as the boys were ushered out a back exit into two black vans before arriving at their penthouse at the InterContinental Hotel in the CBD.

They weren't speaking, but their fans were not so shy. "We're so happy that they're finally here and it feels amazing that everything is coming into place," said 15-year-old Lola Emmanuel. "But it's really sad they couldn't come out and meet their fans and there have been a lot of tears."

Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson make up the group, formed six months ago for Britain's version of The X Factor.

They have since sold more than 4.2 million copies of their first album, Up All Night.

Naturally, their national Australian tour, starting Friday, has sold out. Some fans were especially keen to encourage a tour, posting a video online titled Reasons Why One Direction Should Come To Australia.

"They are the most amazing group of five boys that you'll ever meet," said one teary fan.

"They have amazing voices and great personalities and beautiful faces."

Additional reporting: AAP