One Direction assures fans split won’t be permanent

BRITISH boy band One Direction has spoken out about reports they will be taking an indefinite break.

One Direction on the set of the video for Drag Me Down. Picture Supplied

BRITISH boy band One Direction has addressed speculation that they’re planning to take a break in the following year.

Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Liam Payne said on Twitter the pop group would be “taking a well-earned break at some point”, but reassuried worried fans that it won’t be permanent.

Ok so Lots of rumours going round. We are not splitting up, but we will be taking a well earned break at some point next year

— Niall Horan (@NiallOfficial) August 24, 2015

Don't worry though, we still have lots we want to achieve ! Can't wait for you to hear all the new music we have for you and to perform

— Niall Horan (@NiallOfficial) August 24, 2015

Your support is truly indescribable! It's just a break :) we're not going anywhere !!

— Louis Tomlinson (@Louis_Tomlinson) August 24, 2015

Thank you so much for everything you have done for us it's been the most amazing five years and there's so much more to come

— Liam (@Real_Liam_Payne) August 25, 2015

The Sun newspaper reported on Monday that the four band members, including Harry Styles, will go their separate ways for at least a year after finishing a tour this year and promoting their fifth album.

“The guys have been together for five years, which is an incredible run for any boy band,” a source told the publication.

“They fully deserve to have at least a year to work on their own projects. There is absolutely no bad blood between them and they are all 100 per cent behind the decision.

“It is definitely not a split and they fully intend to get back together at some time in the future.”

British boy band ... One Direction on the set of the video for Drag Me Down. Picture: Supplied

The source said the heart-throbs could each take their money-spinning careers on very different journeys in talks that could get under way within weeks.

There is “a lot of interest” in Styles from Hollywood, Tomlinson is “very much in contention to be a judge on X Factor” next year and all of them are now faced with “a massive amount of options”, according to the source.

It seems Payne may want to finetune his songwriting, producing and DJ skills rather than a solo career, the report says.

Early days ... One Direction, including Zyan Malik, perform in New York City in 2012. Picture: Kevin Kane/Getty Images for Jingle Ball 2012

One Direction formed in 2010 after five teenagers — Horan, Tomlinson, Payne, Styles and Zayn Malik — auditioned individually for British TV talent show The X Factor.

Entertainment mogul Simon Cowell put them together as a boy band.

Malik quit the chart-topping group earlier this year.

Originally published as One Direction assures fans split won’t be permanent