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Jack Whitehall joins One Direction's Liam Payne on stage

Liam Payne may have found himself a new bandmate – comedian Jack Whitehall.

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The Bad Education star took to the stage at this year's Royal Variety Performance, alongside the Wolverhampton-born superstar and his One Direction bandmates.

During the show, which was screened on ITV last night, the comedian joked he could replace former bandmate Zayn Malik who left the group earlier this year.

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He said: "I was just wondering, obviously you lost a member, and then decided you were going to take a break

"But if there was someone around who was willing to step in, might that be a decision you reconsider?" he asked.

Liam, who hails from Bushbury, pointed to host Whitehall's body and said: "Maybe if you shaved your chest a little bit."

On Thursday the band will be at the BBC Music Awards which is being held in Birmingham before embarking on a long-term break.

Viewers watching the variety performance also saw Jimmy Tarbuck pay tribute to the late Cilla Black, as well as performers from around the world, including pop sensations Kylie Minogue, Ricky Martin, The Corrs, Josh Groban and The Killers frontman Brandon Flowers.

There was also a rare appearance from Jeff Lynne's ELO while Britain's Got Talent winners Jules, Matisse and Friends also took to the stage.

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