There will never be another Beatles, so perhaps it's time to retire the comparison. According to pop legend Paul McCartney, One Direction, the latest boy band to be compared to the Beatles in their heyday, are nothing of the kind.

According to a report in the Irish Independent, McCartney warns that even the comparison could be the 'kiss of death' for the boy band.

Comprised of Niall, Liam, Harry Louis and Zayn, One Direction are being met with screaming fans greeting them everywhere they go in the US, in scenes that are eerily similar to Beatlemania in the 1960’s (minus the amazing pop music).

Mobbed during every public appearances here their popularity has seen them become the first British group to debut at number one in the US.

But McCartney says that being compared to the biggest pop band of all time is simply too much pressure for the boys, and their predecessors haven't lived up to that kind of hype in the past.

'There are so many bands who all get called the next Beatles. And suddenly it puts an awful lot of pressure on them to be the next Beatles,' McCartney said.

'Oasis were 'the next Beatles' once, if you remember. It's a pressure, because suddenly you've got to live up to all the things that we did, and it was a different time. It's the kiss of death. So let's just call them the next terrific band.”

McCartney claimed he liked One Direction and he told the band to just make music at their own pace.

'It’s a pressure, because suddenly you’ve got to live up to all the things that we did, and it was a different time. So let’s just call them the next terrific band. They’re doing well in America, it’s good, good luck lads.'