It has been a troubled few months for One Direction. The world’s most popular boy-band was rocked back in March when original One Direction member Zayn Malik quit the band citing stress related issues caused by One Direction’s relentless touring and recording schedule. Now it seems that One Direction are headed for a split, at least temporarily, when their “On The Road Again” tour finishes on October 31.
One Direction were brought together on the 2010 season of Simon Cowell’s reality TV show X-Factor and, although they failed to win the show, they signed a five-year, five album deal with Cowell’s SyCo. One Direction members Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson have been busy recording the final album in that deal during breaks in the tour.
There have been rumors for months that One Direction were headed for a split and speculation reached a fever pitch after Malik quit the band. It was recently reported in Inquisitr that One Direction could be headed for a split as a result of jealousy and infighting within the group. It was being reported that a source close to One Direction had admitted that an announcement that they were to split was “imminent.”
Today the Daily Mirror reports that One Direction are to split so that the members can have a break to pursue solo projects. While the news will be a blow to millions of One Direction fans it seems that the split may just be for a period of 12 months.
It is reported that 21-year-old Harry Styles is keen to record a solo album, and bandmate Louis Tomlinson, 23, is understood to be keen to fulfill his dream of becoming an X-Factor judge.
According to the Huffington Post a One Direction source has told the Sun that “the band are to go on a break after promoting the fifth album.”
“Simon Cowell is supportive of what they need to do because he wants the band to stay together in some form for a very long time.
“What’s almost certain is there will be no One Direction music next year.”
Harry Styles was interviewed on U.S. radio yesterday but he was tight lipped when he was asked about the bands future. Harry said “we’re all working hard towards the same thing right now, I don’t think we’re thinking much past that.”
The BBC are reporting that One Direction’s publicist has said that reports that the band are to take a lengthy sabbatical are “pure speculation,” and that the band are excited about their new album which is due for release in November.
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