HUNDREDS of screaming girls will converge on the Forum next weekend when X Factor boyband One Direction come to Hatfield.

The massively popular teenage quintet were confirmed as the second act for the Forum’s Got The X Factor spectacular before Christmas – and all 1,300 tickets for January’s event had gone within two days of the announcement.

Singer Katie Waissel is the other special guest performing live at the College Lane entertainment venue on Sunday, January 2, 2011.

Organisers at the Forum are delighted to have secured One Direction for the sold-out afternoon.

“We’re told that One Direction are only doing a couple of pre-X Factor Tour shows, and we’re honoured that they’ve chosen the Forum Hertfordshire,” said director of marketing Rebecca Hobbs.

“This has been our fastest selling event to date, and we’re thrilled to be able to bring such an exclusive performance to the community.”

Mentored by Simon Cowell, One Direction came third in this year’s live final of the ITV singing contest, finishing behind Essex painter and decorator Matt Cardle – who had the Christmas No 1 with When We Collide – and Rebecca Ferguson.

The five teenagers – Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zain Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne – won a huge army of fans on the reality programme.

Hosted by Peter Dickson, the voiceover man from the X Factor, next weekend’s Forum extravaganza will once again feature a special meet and greet with the stars.

Doors open at 1pm and the autograph signing session with One Direction and Katie Waissel will take place between 1.30pm and 2.30pm.

Priority ticket holders are guaranteed to meet the stars, while one lucky Hatfield girl and three guests will see them backstage after winning the Welwyn Hatfield Times’ X Factor competition.

Live performances start in the Auditorium at 3pm.