A little girl is 'smiling again' after One Direction answered her father's plea for help.

Eastern Daily Press: Emily Yallop One DirectionEmily Yallop One Direction (Image: Archant)

When Rick Yollop, from Mile Cross, lost his wife, Bella, to Leukemia last September, a month to the day after she was diagnosed with the disease, the father of two took on her promise of throwing a One Direction themed birthday party for their daughter, Emily.

He said: 'I just didn't have a clue, I was a normal bloke and didn't know anything about where to begin.'

In just two weeks the message had gone viral, being shared more than 80,000 times and reaching people all across the globe - including Louis Tomlinson's mother, Johannah Deakin, and children's charity Believe in Magic.

Getting a lot more than he bargained for, Rick couldn't believe it when he received a call from Johannah inviting them to Louis' charity event, the Cinderella Ball.

Eastern Daily Press: Emily Yallop was excited with her video message from then-member Zayne Malik, little did she know she would soon be meeting the boys. Picture by SIMON FINLAY.Emily Yallop was excited with her video message from then-member Zayne Malik, little did she know she would soon be meeting the boys. Picture by SIMON FINLAY.

Last August Emily, 6, and her little sister, Ruby, 2, were the belles of the ball and Emily's wish was granted.

But her fairy tale did not end there, keeping in touch with her favorite band member, Louis Tomlinson, two weeks ago Emily and her father were invited to be VIP guests at One Direction's concert at the O2 Arena on Saturday.

A car shuttled them to their 'once in a lifetime' opportunity where a star-struck Emily sat in the front row.

'We went backstage to meet them and they were having group pictures, then Louis just stepped away from his friends and said 'alright gorgeous' and picked her up.

'She was over the moon, it was a dream come true and I was so touched. He just dropped everything and stepped out to her.

'The boys are just unbelievable and for Louis to take his time out for her, it's amazing.

'Louis' mum has been our fairy god mother, It's made a world of difference, Emily is so much more cheerful and she is smiling again.'