One Direction singer Niall Horan has won his first solo award at the 2017 People's Choice Awards.

The 23-year-old Mullingar man went head-to-head with his ex-bandmate Zayn Malik and was successful in taking home the coveted title of Favourite Breakout Artist. He also beat off stiff competition from Alessia Cara, The Chainsmokers and DNCE, who were nominated in the same category.

Horan surprised fans in September by dropping his debut single This Town on music sharing channel Vevo. At the time he thanked his followers for all of their support and love.

“Been workin in the studio, wanted to share this song I just wrote with u guys,” he posted on Twitter. “Thank you for always being there.”  

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Horan, who recently made another first by performing at the American Music Awards as a solo artist, marked his seven year anniversary since entering The X Factor on Wednesday with an emotional tribute on social media.

The luck of the Irish continued at the LA ceremony, which was presented by Joel McHale, with actress Caitriona Balfe being crowned this year's Favourite Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Actress.

The 37-year-old Dubliner, who plays the part of Claire Fraser on the show, wasn't able to attend the ceremony but thanked fans in a sweet video alongside her co-star Sam Heughan, who landed a Favourite Actor award.

The drama by American writer Diana Gabaldon also triumphed in the Favourite Premium Sci-Fi/Fantasy Series and Favourite TV Show category, beating out The Big Bang Theory, Grey's Anatomy, Stranger Things and The Walking Dead.

Outlander cast and crew have been spotted filming in Edinburgh over the last few days, and fans are eagerly awaiting the chance to catch glimpses of Jamie and Claire looking older for Season 3.

In the third series of the hit time travelling drama the lovers who have been separated by centuries are finally reunited again in a print shop on the Royal Mile where Jamie now works.

 Ellen DeGeneres accepts Favorite Animated Movie Voice for Finding Dory from Justin Timberlake
 

Ellen DeGeneres broke the record for the most People’s Choice Awards in history at the event with the chat show legend winning three awards, taking her to the grand tally of 20 wins in total. 

Tom Hanks delivered a moving speech on stage for his Dramatic Actor win

Acting icon Tom Hanks accepted the Favourite Dramatic Actor in a Movie award and delivered an emotional acceptance speech.

Taking to the stage he said,  "You know you make movies and you wonder if people are going to care, if people are going to see them. If it's going to matter to anybody. This is a special honour.

"I've been doing this for a long time. I love my job, and I leave little bits and pieces of my existence on the screen every time.

"I hope further down the line, [my films] will continue to mean something for folks who search them out," Hanks concluded.

Blake Lively won her first People's Choice Award for Favorite Dramatic Movie Actress

Blake Lively won her first People's Choice Award for Favourite Dramatic Movie Actress, while her hubby Ryan Reynolds won Favourite Movie Actor at the 43rd annual People’s Choice Awards. Talk about couple goals!

JT can't stop feeling great after winning two awards

Justin Timberlake was among the night's big winners, taking home two awards for Favourite Male Artist as well as Favourite Song for his Trolls soundtrack tune Can't Stop the Feeling.

Check out all the night's big winners here