By JASON CHESTER

Niall Horan is taking a rare break from performing but stayed quite close to the stage all weekend by attending Virgin Media’s V Festival.

The 19-year-old is currently enjoying the annual event in Chelmsford, Essex after returning from Los Angeles, following One Direction’s final US concert before their extensive Take Me Home world tour moves to Australia next month.

Spending considerable time mingling with Union J, Conor Maynard, and Olly Murs backstage in the VIP Louder Lounge, Niall relished some less familiar but equally welcomed company as Saturday’s events came to a close.  

Come here, you: One Direction star Niall Horan gives one lucky lady a kiss on the cheek backstage at Virgin Media’s V Festival on Saturday

In pictures posted on Twitter, the Irish heartthrob is seen giving one lucky fan a welcome kiss on the cheek as he hung out in the event’s VIP Louder Lounge that evening.

Dressed in a trendy NBA basketball vest which he later covered with a black Stussy sweater, Niall seemed to be in high-spirits as he posed for a string of photo-opportunities with various revelers – amongst them singer Pixie Lott.

But while his V experience seemed to be going well, there was the potential for an awkward encounter with Made in Chelsea star Louise Thompson.

Pleased to meet you: Niall rubs shoulders with fans at the annual event, amongst them Pixie Lott (second from right)

Up for the craic: The Irish heartthrob poses for a snap with some female admirers at the V festival in Chelmsford on Saturday evening

Niall recently dismissed rumours of a blossoming romance with the reality TV personality – currently dating her co-star, Andy Jordan – as ‘ridiculous.’

‘One meeting turned into a big story, which is ridiculous, so that’s the end of that,’ he told The Sun’s Fabulous magazine.

The Kiss You singer also admitted that inaccurate stories regarding their meeting had made him very cautious. 

Earlier that day: Niall looks chirpy as he arrives at the V Festival in Chelmsford, Essex

Hanging out: Niall with Conor Maynard (second from left) and a group of pals at Virgin Media’s V Festival on Saturday afternoon

He added: ‘You struggle with who to trust and who not to trust.’ 

After arriving at the Hylands Park site on Saturday afternoon the singer enjoyed performances from the likes of Kings of Leon, Jessie J, The Script, Beyonce.

The singer was spotted enjoying The Saturdays’ festival performance from the sidelines on Sunday.

Niall enjoys a cold drink as he walks around the festival with friends

He was joined by Rochelle Humes’ husband, Marvin, and Una’s rugby player husband, Ben Foden.

The pair seemed in good spirits as they watched their other halves perform, while Niall didn’t seem to be included in the joke.

Niall and his One Direction band-mates will make their next live appearance at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre in Adelaide on September 23.

This year’s V Festival featured a special collaboration with Cineworld, which became the first major UK cinema chain to bring the cinema experience to a music festival. Guests in the Virgin Media Louder Lounge treated to screenings of a whole host of feel-good movies in a pop-up cinema.

Niall Horan watches The Saturdays’ energetic performance from the sidelines alongside Marvin Humes and Ben Foden

Red hot: Ellie Goulding was just one of the stars to perform on day one of the annual event in Chelmsford, Essex

All bent out of shape: Jessie J performs on the Virgin Media Stage at the V Festival

Costume change: Beyonce Knowles wore a string of outfits for her headline performance on Saturday night

A break from the music: Made In Chelsea’s Louise Thompson – who was previously linked to Niall – was one of the stars seen checking out the Cineworld pop-up cinema at the Virgin Media Louder Lounge