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One Direction 'to go separate ways in March' One Direction 'to go separate ways in March'
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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 as is often the case with the promise of lucrative reunion tours, it might not be a permanent split for the group.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 as is often the case with the promise of lucrative reunion tours, it might not be a permanent split for the group.
The teen idol sensations – Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan – are set to part company for a year because they want to focus on solo projects. A 1D 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.” The teen idol sensations – Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan – are set to part company for a year because they want to focus on solo projects. A 1D 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.”
Related: One Direction top UK charts and break streaming records with Drag Me DownRelated: One Direction top UK charts and break streaming records with Drag Me Down
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. 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 pencilled in before the end of the year are still likely to go ahead, it was claimed. Millions of fans may still get the chance to see their heartthrobs as a string of TV spots and performances which are already pencilled 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. The plan had been on the cards “with or without” Zayn Malik, who left the group in March, according to an unnamed source who spoke to the tabloid. 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 rubber-stamped 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. 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.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.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. 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.
Related: A new direction: Is Zayn Malik the next Justin Timberlake?Related: A new direction: Is Zayn Malik the next Justin Timberlake?
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.”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 quit amid reports that he had cheated on his then fiancee, the Little Mix singer Perrie Edwards. The couple have since split up. He 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 Sande, Cheryl Cole and Leona Lewis. 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.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.
A spokesman for the band said: “We don’t comment on speculation.”A spokesman for the band said: “We don’t comment on speculation.”
Rapper Professor Green was one of the first to react to the news, tweeting: “1D are splitting up?! I thought they were on some kind of space odyssey? So there wasn’t only one direction after all … One direction go their separate ways. Is this a paradox? Forgive me – I left school in year 8.”Rapper Professor Green was one of the first to react to the news, tweeting: “1D are splitting up?! I thought they were on some kind of space odyssey? So there wasn’t only one direction after all … One direction go their separate ways. Is this a paradox? Forgive me – I left school in year 8.”