Simon Cowell is hoping lightning can strike twice as he plans to create a new boyband that can rival One Direction.
The music mogul, 64, manufactured the X Factor band when he grouped solo hopefuls Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson together back in 2011.
He has now launched a new search for male singers with auditions taking place in the UK and Ireland in the coming weeks with all the action filmed by production company Box To Box for a possible TV show.
Announcing his search in London on Tuesday, the businessman stuck up a billboard poster declaring, "Simon needs you! Future megastars wanted for new boyband. No time wasters."
He then told PA, "Every generation deserves a megastar boyband and I don't think there has been one to have the success of One Direction in over 14 years. The industry tends to focus on solo artists - so it usually takes someone from outside to put a group together.
"Nothing beats the fun of being in a group, touring the world and performing for thousands - and it's also a brilliant launchpad for a solo career. When you have a great group, it's like lightning in a bottle but there's no magic formula and a fair bit of luck involved!"
Auditions are set to take place in Newcastle on July 4 and 5, Liverpool on July 7 and 8, Dublin on July 28 and 29 and London on August 1, 2, and 3, and the trials are open to boys aged 16 to 18.
