Hours after news of One Direction's extended hiatus broke, Niall Horan took to Twitter to set the record straight. "Ok so lots of rumours going round," wrote the 21-year-old. "We are not splitting up, but we will be taking a well-earned break at some point next year. Don't worry though, we still have lots we want to achieve!"He continued: "Can't wait for you to hear all the new music we have for you and to perform some new songs as the tour continues! Love you all xx."
One Direction: Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson
Louis Tomlinson also spoke out to address the speculation. "Your support is truly indescribable! It's just a break :) we're not going anywhere!! Promise," he tweeted to fans.On Sunday it was revealed that the band - Niall, Louis, Liam Payne and Harry Styles - have decided to take at least a year out to focus on solo projects, and will not tour their upcoming fifth album.A source told the Sun: "The guys have been together for five years, which is an incredible run for any boyband. "They fully deserve to have at least a year to work on their solo projects. There is absolutely no bad blood between them and they are all 100 per cent behind the decision."
The insider added that Zayn Malik's exit in March was not a factor in their plans to take an extended break, adding that it would have happened with or without him.News of the boys' hiatus might not have come as a shock to everyone; just a few weeks ago, Liam said the group were in need of some time off, and hinted they might take a break following the release of their next album. "You know, I think everyone needs a little bit of a break now," the 21-year-old told Free radio. "A sit-down and a stop, to kind of take in all the great things that've happened."
Asked what he wanted to do during that time, he added: "There's loads of things - I've been writing a lot on the road at the moment, not for me, for other people. I've been doing lots of things, you know trying to get into the producing side of it which is pretty cool."
