One Direction are going their separate ways in March 2016. The group – Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan – have mutually agreed to take at least a year off to pursue their own projects, according to numerous news reports. "The guys have been together for five years, which is an incredible run for any boy band," a 1D source told the Sun. "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."
One Direction are taking a break to pursue other projects
The band will not be touring their fifth album, set to be released at Christmas, which means that their last full concert – for now – will be at Sheffield's Motorpoint Arena on 31 October.The news comes just five months after Zayn Malik quit 1D – although the source said Zayn's departure played no part in the boys' decision to disband. "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."
© Photo: Getty ImagesZayn Malik quit the band in March to pursue a solo career
There is said to be "a lot of interest" in Harry from Hollywood, while father-to-be Louis is "very much in contention to be a judge on X Factor" next year, the insider said, adding that all of them are now faced with "a massive amount of options".It seems Liam might 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 deny claims they were set to split in the wake of Zayn's exit, vowing to continue as a four-piece.Liam, Harry, Niall and Louis are said to be worth around £25million each after topping the charts around the world since emerging from the X Factor in 2010. A spokesperson for the band said: "We don't comment on speculation."
