One Direction hire Michael Jackson's bodyguard

British boy band ONE DIRECTION have hired the bodyguard who tried to save MICHAEL JACKSON on the day he died.

Alberto Alvarez, 36, worked for the late Thriller hitmaker and he was present at Jackson's rented Los Angeles home on the morning of the King of Pop's death in 2009, even testifying during the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray, who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter.

Alvarez has now revealed he has a new job working for the young British pop stars and he credits the band with saving him after he left the employment of the Jackson family.

He tells Britain's The People newspaper, "I'm really excited. They're a great group of young men and they have great ­talent. I am proud to work for them. Working for the boys has ­pulled me through a ­terrible time. It really helped me cope with what ­happened three years ago when Michael died. I've been through the mill but I am coming out the other side... The events of three years ago are less heavy on my mind. They won't ever go away but I do feel ­better. I started ­working as a ­bodyguard again last year.

"And ­working for One Direction - the ­biggest boyband in the world - is so ­exciting. I did some work for them in California last year and they liked me."