Mum Direction: the mothers behind One Direction

Zayn

Your mum Trisha Malik, 43

Twitter followers 142,915

A halal chef from East Bowling, Trisha won this year’s Bradford Inspirational Mum award for being a pretty marvellous matriarch. Happily married to Zayn’s father Yaser, she says her life has hardly changed since Zayn made his millions. But now maybe it will: these days Zayn’s cyber-savvy mum is mainly taking down Twitter trolls. When one ‘fan’ called Zayn a terrorist, Trisha called her a ‘psyco’ before adding the motherly: ‘You should be ashamed of yourself.’ That’ll learn ’em.

Last seen Tweeting to confirm her son’s engagement to Perrie from Little Mix. Awww.

She says ‘I’m just a mum who raised their kids very well; I’m not playing the star.’

We say Like Zayn, she’s the cool one.

Cringe factor Spelling mistakes in her Twitter tirades. She also finishes them off with an X, which kind of defeats the point. 1/5

Harry

Your mum Anne Twist, 44

Twitter followers 1,354,626

Just like her heart-throb son, Anne, an office worker from Cheshire, loves the spotlight. Whether she’s telling Haz to ‘work that twerk’ at the Teen Choice Awards, wearing a figure-hugging LBD on the red carpet or climbing Mount Kilimanjaro for the children’s charity Believe in Magic, she sure courts the attention. Thankfully, her son gives her just that by phoning five times a day and texting to say ‘I love you’. He also wore her shirt on his 19th birthday, and she claims to be jealous of his naturally curly hair. Directioners beware: you’ve got a helicopter mum on your hands.

Last seen Marrying her long-term partner, Robin Twist, at a ceremony for 100 guests in Cheshire. As best man, Harry said giving his speech was ‘the most nerve-racking thing I’ve ever done’.

She says ‘Harry’s a very romantic guy. He makes good stir-fries.’

We say Harry’s cougar complex suddenly makes so much more sense.

Cringe factor Previously Mrs Cox, her Twitter name was FoxyCoxy. 5/5

Liam

Your mum Karen Payne, 53

Twitter followers 2,607

The oldest member of Mum Direction makes a star appearance in the 1D film This Is Us. Millions of Directioners felt her pain as she bought a cardboard cut-out of her son, ‘just to make him feel closer’. The nursery nurse lives in Wolverhampton with Liam’s father Geoff, and won’t be seen out without her trench coats and specs — no wonder, as she’s followed everywhere by screaming fans.

Last seen Trying not to trip on the stairs at the premiere.

She says ‘We miss him. He left home my little boy and became the boy in a magazine.’

We say Liam should visit his mum more often.

Cringe factor Prone to kissing Liam in public. 3/5

Niall

Your mum Maura Gallagher, 52

Twitter followers 6,325

Ever wondered why Niall’s always the one doing the talking? It’s because his Mammy told him to. Pint-sized Maura warned him to be nice and to chat, especially to the girls — and now he’s jumped into first place on the 1D devotion polls. When she’s not handing out pearls of wisdom she can be found backstage sporting a tour T-shirt and perfectly quaffed bob to boot (we see where Niall gets his style). Divorced from Niall’s dad Bobby, she now lives in Ireland with her husband Chris.

Last seen Tidying Niall’s London home.

She says ‘When I visit, I get the duster out.’

We say Doesn’t he have staff for that?

Cringe factor Talking to the papers about her son’s lack of love life. 2/5

Louis

Your mum Johannah ‘Jay’ Tomlinson, 40

Twitter followers 784,727

With her Middleton mane, slinky dresses and pouty lips, Jay looks like she should be fawning over 1D from behind the barriers, not in front. But this midwife from Doncaster is proud of being Louis’ mum, and spends most of her time reminding us on Twitter. Not one to hold back, Jay called 2004 X Factor winner Steve Brookstein a ‘prat’ when he dissed her son’s singing. We think a ‘Steve who?’ would have sufficed.

Last seen Announcing her engagement on Twitter to 30-year-old ex-banker Dan Deakin.

She says ‘I made Louis his fav packed lunch — ham sandwiches.’

We say ‘So that’s what makes you beautiful.’

Cringe factor Fond of posting shirtless pics of her brawny boyf. 4/5