Simon Cowell thinks 1D's Niall Horan could have topped charts with Syco label

Simon Cowell recently took a loyalty swipe at One Direction's Niall Horan, saying the singer could have topped the charts had he stayed with the record label 'Syco.'

After the 23-year-old's surprise debut single 'This Town' made it into the charts at number nine but failed to beat singer Arthur at number one this week, the 'X Factor' judge said, "He probably would have had a No. 1 single if he'd stayed with me," reports E! Online.

The young Irish crooner had reportedly rejected a megabucks deal with Syco Music, a British record label founded by Cowell.

The 'This Town' singer had instead favoured its rival Universal Music.

Hinting that the 'One Direction' member should never have ditched him, Cowell jokingly added, "Hashtag loyalty."

The English reality television judge had previously spoken of his frustration at being deserted by Horan's fellow band mates Liam Payne and Harry Styles despite forming the band in 2010.