Niall Horan excited to meet online pal Demi Lovato at VMAs

One Direction star Niall Horan is looking forward to the MTV Video Music Awards next week because he will finally get to meet Demi Lovato after months of chatting to her online.

The pop pair sparked speculation of a budding romance earlier this year after exchanging messages on Twitter.com, but Lovato brushed off the rumours in June, insisting the singer was nothing more than a "really good friend".

Horan now reveals he has never met Lovato in person - and he can't wait to greet his online buddy at Thursday's VMAs in Los Angeles.

He tells US radio host Ryan Seacrest, "Me and Demi, we're just really good friends. She's been doing well. She's been updating me on what she's been doing and stuff, and hopefully I will get to see her next week when we come to LA for the VMAs. We actually haven't met yet."