Beatlemania! One Direction fans swarm airport to greet idols... and there's plenty of girls for newly-single Harry to choose

 They've only been famous for a year, but One Direction were welcomed with an A-list reception last night as they touched down on US soil.

 

 The British boyband have flown across the Atlantic in a bid to crack the American market, including asupport slot on the Big Time Rush tour and a cameo stint on Nickelodeon sitcom iCandy.

An army of fans waited with placards at LAX airport - largely dominated by girls, but with a handful of boys too - hinting this year's X Factor winners Little Mix could be in for a successful future too.

Mutual decision: Harry Styles has headed to America with One Direction after confirming his split from cougar fling Caroline Flack, but insists he did not 'dump' the presenter, who is 15 years his senior

Beatlemania: LAX airport was swarming with teenage admirers to greet the boys off their plane from London

Fleeing the UK couldn't come at a more opportune time for 17-year-old Harry Styles, as he attempts to mend his broken heart following his split with Caroline Flack.
Yesterday, Harry confirmed the pair had called time on their three month fling.

The singer, who will turn 18 on Wednesday, told fans on his Twitter page that reports of the break-up from 32-year-old Xtra Factor presenter Caroline were true.

However, Harry said he had not 'dumped' Flack, insisting the decision was mutual.

Breaking America: The boys landed in Los Angeles, where hundreds of screaming girls were waiting for 

them

 

 

 

Rising stars: Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan were unheard of until finding fame on The X Factor in 2010

Too cool for school: Harry turned away from photographers as Niall gave them a manic wave

He tweeted: 'Please know I didn't "dump" Caroline. This was a mutual decision. She is one of the kindest, sweetest people I know.'
Harry and Caroline caused controversy when they started dating back in October due to the 15-year age gap.
But the pair ignored the criticism and have enjoyed a fun-filled fling over the past few months.

Even the boys love them! Zayn and Harry were greeted by a male fan who couldn't wait to get their autograph

TV cameo: One Direction are in the US to film an episode of sitcom iCarly

They consistently avoided being photographed together during their romance, with one of the only shots of the pair being a Twitter picture from the beginning of their relationship.
The pair were spotted leaving each other's houses in the early hours of the morning on various occasions, but they were said to have split over the new year.
However, Caroline didn't let her newly-single status affect her as she co-presented the ITV2's coverage of the National Television Awards on Wednesday night.

Hysteria: Little Mix could be set for a big future in the US if they follow in the footsteps of One Direction

Worse than girls: The boys didn't exactly travel light, with vast amounts of luggage filling up the van

Stepping onto the red carpet, she wore a colourful dress with a pink shirt, and tanned pins on show.
She spent five hours in the hairdressers' chair, appearing with shorter, darker locks a few days ago.
And she'd clearly had a good time as she let herself loose following her presenting stint.
She tweeted the following morning: 'My.head.hurts.'