Chris Martin has praised One Direction.

The Coldplay frontman described the 'Kiss You' hitmakers as ''brilliant'' and admits he is a big fan of the pop group - which is comprised of Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson - during an in-depth a BBC Radio 1 interview with Zane Lowe, due to air next Monday (28.04.14).

Chris says: ''I'm saying One Direction are brilliant. I'm not kidding.''

This isn't the first time that Chris has gushed about his love for the teen heartthrobs, as he covered the band's debut hit, 'What Makes You Beautiful' during a concert in Florida two years ago and recently told a contestant that they should use Harry as inspiration during his appearance on 'The Voice' USA earlier this month.

During the Q&A the 'Magic' singer also alludes to the recent upheaval in his personal life following his separation from his wife Gwyneth Paltrow.

He says: ''Everyone in their live goes through their challenges - whether it's love or money or kids or illness.''

Meanwhile, Coldplay have been announced as the headline act for Radio 1's Big Weekender in Glasgow, Scotland

The free-ticketed festival, will run on Saturday May 24 and Sunday May 25, with the band performing on the Saturday night.

The group will also release their sixth studio album 'Ghost Stories' on May 19.