Harry Styles and Gary Barlow are to write music together.

The One Direction hunk met up with the Take That star while he was in New York, where they chatted about the 'X Factor' judge's career with the boy band and Gary offered him songwriting advice as well as the opportunity to work with him to pen a tune.

A source told The Sun newspaper: ''Gary has been over in New York working on music for a Broadway musical version of 'Finding Neverland'. He heard Harry was in town and arranged to meet up.

''They had a great afternoon talking about Gary's life in Take That as a young bloke and then more recently. Harry is an attentive guy and really listens. He likes keeping older company and soaks up as much advice as he can get.

''Gary talked him through his songwriting techniques and offered to write with him whenever they get the chance.''

The 42-year-old star's pep talk with Harry comes shortly after his Take That bandmate Robbie Williams recently insisted One Direction - who he performed with on 'The X Factor' - need a responsible band member like Gary or Jason Orange in their group.

He explained: ''It seems as though there's no Jason Orange or Gary Barlow there to tell them off and give them, ironically, a bit of direction.

''It would seem that it's a band of Robbies and [Mark Owens]. It's going to be fascinating to see what happens. You know, their journey.''