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Hurts star Adam Anderson has spoken out in support for One Direction after an increasing amount of criticism from fellow musicians in recent weeks.
The Manchester duo found themselves sat on the table next to One Direction at this year's Brit Awards and Anderson feels the boyband 'should be left alone' after 18-year-old singer Jake Bugg said One Direction 'must know they're terrible'.
Speaking exclusively to Gigwise, Anderson says: "I think they seem like decent lads and they're having fun. If you were 19 and in their position then you would have fun.
"I think they should be left alone really. It's good for the equilibrium of pop to have boybands."
One Direction at the Brit Awards 2013
Hurts know how it feels to have huge success outside of the UK after their debut album, Happiness saw them inside the top ten charts across Europe. Anderson believes it can only be a positive thing for the county to have artists that find success overseas.
He adds: "At the end of the day they [One Direction] are a big export for music in this country. If One Direction and Adele raise the profile for British acts then fair enough."
Speaking of the criticism that this year's Brit Awards receiving for being slightly on the boring side, Anderson feels that was just down to timing of different acts coming through.
He says: "I think there was an absence of a certain type of band which was the problem, but that's just timing.
"It is what it is. It was still a good laugh and a good party afterwards. You make your own fun sometimes."
Hurts' second studio album, Exile will be released next week on 11 March 2013.
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