Veteran man band Take That have offered their advice to One Direction, urging them to "stay as a unit".

After Gary Barlow joked that the 1D lads "should be giving us advice", Howard Donald went on to tell MTV News while promoting new track for movie Kingsman: The Secret Service: "I think they should stay as a unit.

[related]"When somebody has a problem in the band, it's always something not to be ignored and to always discuss it by themselves as a five, not even necessarily with management.

"Just be themselves and get to know each other - I'm sure they know each other very well, but we don't know what happens behind closed doors … we don't know who gets on and who doesn't get on."

He added: "I guess they're all great friends and it's about talking to each other", with bandmate Mark Owen agreeing: "Look after each other and take the time to ask…

"Now and again, it's just worth checking in with yourself and checking in with everybody."

Barlow concluded: "I've spent quite a bit of time with all of them really - they are all great fun.

"The one thing I always think about with them is they are enjoying it and that's right, enjoy it while it's here - you don't know what the future is for any of us."

Kingsman: The Secret Service is due for release in the UK on January 29.