One Direction split to take ‘at least a year off to focus on solo projects

One Direction are splitting up… at least for a year.

The boyband – comprised of Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson – have reportedly 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 newspaper’s Dan Wootton: ‘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.’

According to the paper, the group – who were formed on the UK X Factor in 2010 and have gone on to conquer the world – made the decision during crunch talks in London last weekend and their final show will be at Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield on October 31.

The Sun reports that they have some work commitments in February and will take their break in March.

New release: The band only released the video for Drag Me Down on Friday and two days later the split was revealed

A representative for One Direction had no comment when contacted by MailOnline.

The source added to The Sun that Zayn Malik’s shock departure in March was not a factor in the split and it would have happened with or without him.

Indeed the news should not come as a shock as just a few weeks ago, Liam insisted the group were desperately in need of some time out.

Not Zayn’s fault: Zayn Malik quit (centre) quit the group in March but sources say the split would have happened anyway

He hinted that the hard-working band were planning to take some time off following the release of their fifth studio album later this year.

Speaking during an interview with Free radio , Liam, 21, explained: ‘You know, I think everyone needs a little bit of a break now, and a sit down and a stop, to kind of take in all the great things that’ve happened.’

The Steal My Girl hitmaker – who is dating his childhood friend Sophia Smith – also admitted that he wants to write music for other artists and spend some time back at home.