One Direction To 'Disband' In March For Year Long Hiatus?

Put those hankies away and wash those tear-stained faces, reports that One Direction are set to ‘disband’ in March 2016 are nowhere near as sinister - or as disheartening- as they sound.

Deep breaths. Count to three. Continue.

Earlier tonight it was reported by The Sun that Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan were planning on ‘disbanding’ exactly one year after Zayn Malik sensationally quit the group - but the small print reads that they are just going on an “extended hiatus of at least twelve months”.

We can cope with that, right? We mean, they’ve worked solidly for the last five years, they’re entitled to a little break.

Speaking to the newspaper, a source explained: “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 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.

“But for now it is the end and they go out on top as the world’s most popular music act.“

So it’s more of a see ya later than a goodbye, phew.

It does mean, however, that the boys’ last full One Direction concert for the foreseeable will be in Sheffield at the end of October as their On The Road Again tour comes to its conclusion, and we bet they are going to make it a night to remember.

Further to finishing their current tour, our fave foursome also plan on releasing their fifth studio album in time for Christmas and are more than willing to fulfil the rest of their commitments to their Syco record label.

The know-it-all insider added: “Simon Cowell and his team at Syco couldn’t be more excited about the album.

“They believe there are at least three smash hit songs and they’ve got the boys to stay together for a few weeks beyond the end of the year to make the album a huge success.

“But there was a meeting recently where it was agreed there would be no tour for the album.

“That was a big call because it means come March, Harry, Liam, Louis and Niall will be free agents for the first time in five years.“

And blimey, don’t they deserve it?

In spite of the break coming a year after Zayn’s departure, the source insisted that this was always going to happen, sharing: “This was the plan with or without Zayn. In fact, the band have been making amazing music and been incredibly happy without Zayn.

“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.

“All the boys have a massive amount of options available to them. It’s an exciting time because for the last five years they’ve always put the band first.”

Unable to resist stirring the pot at least a little bit, the insider concluded with: “Sony definitely want to secure a solo record from Harry. He has been building up to this moment for a long time and there is also a lot of interest in him from Hollywood.

“But they’re all going to be successful in their own right. They have the best contacts and a massive fanbase.“

And we can say with absolute certainty that we’ll support them in anything that they do.

See you later, One Direction - we miss you already.