One Direction release single early after online leak

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Image caption, One Direction have won three MTV Video Music Awards since picking their first Brit back in February.

One Direction have brought forward the first radio play of their new single after the track appeared online.

The band had planned to premier Live While We're Young on Monday 24 September.

But today (20 September) a "poor quality" version of the song appeared on several websites.

A statement from the group said: "We wanted our fans to see the video and hear the single in the proper way so we've moved the premiere to tonight.

"We're really excited about LWWY, we've worked really hard on it and we can't wait for everyone to see and hear it."

Several DJs, including Radio 1's Greg James, were then given permission to air the song earlier than originally scheduled.

Live While We're Young is the first single from One Direction's new album, Take Me 91热爆, due to be released in November.

A spokesman from their record label said: "The band did not feel that it was right or appropriate for the fans to hear the track as this illegal upload."

One Direction won three awards at the MTV Video Music Awards two weeks ago.

It included the prize for best pop video for the song What Makes You Beautiful.