One Direction to split in March 2016 to pursue solo projects

One Direction

It’s the moment every teenage music fan dreads – the breakup of their favourite group. And now to the ranks of the Beatles, Take That and Spice Girls another name can be added – One Direction. The band are set to break up in March, according to the reports, but it might not be a permanent split as the group will only be apart for a year.

The teen idol sensations

– Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan – are set to part ways for a year because they want to focus on solo projects. A One Direction source told The Sun: “The guys have been together for five years, which is an incredible run for any boy band. 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% behind the decision. It is definitely not a split and they fully intend to get back together at some time in the future.”

There will be no tour for the band’s fifth album and the shock news could mean their last full concert – for now, at least – will be at Sheffield’s Motorpoint Arena on 31 October. 

Millions of fans may still get the chance to see their heartthrobs as a string of TV spots and performances which are already penciled in before the end of the year are still likely to go ahead. 

The boys are to have a break over the festive period before getting back together to complete their promotional commitments for their record label in February, according to the Sun. According to an unnamed source who spoke to the tabloid, the plan had been on the cards “with or without” Zayn Malik, who left the group in March. 

The source claimed: “Of course, they would have preferred that he had stayed in the band, but they would have taken this extended hiatus even if he hadn’t left.” It is believed the break and the decision not to tour were agreed in a meeting in London last weekend. It means they 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 that Payne may want to fine-tune his songwriting, producing and DJ skills rather than pursue a solo career, according to the report.

In March, the band spoke out to quash rumours they were set to split up in the wake of Malik’s departure. They vowed to continue as a four-piece after the shock announcement, which Malik said was necessary for him to live like a “normal” 22-year-old. 

A flood of reports then suggested the group were on the verge of breaking up, but Payne thanked their devoted fans – known as “Directioners” – for sticking with the band and “not thinking it’s finished”. He tweeted: “I can see a lot of people thanking us for staying but you’re the real Heros (sic) here thanks for not thinking it’s finished.” 

Bradford-born Malik is believed to be working on a solo album with acclaimed music producer Naughty Boy, who has worked with a string of hit-makers including Emeli Sandé, Cheryl Cole and Leona Lewis.

The four remaining members of One Direction are said to be worth around £25m each after topping the charts worldwide since emerging in the 2010 series of X Factor.