One Direction go in new directions

One Direction, from left, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan have more than 90 No 1 hits. Photo / AP

Mega-successful boy band to take a year-long hiatus as its four remaining members pursue solo projects.

One Direction are to split up, it has been reported.

The boy band's members - Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan - will take a year away from the band from next March to pursue solo projects. The decision was made at the weekend, according to the Sun.

One Direction were formed by Simon Cowell when the members auditioned separately for The X Factor in 2010. They have gone on to sell more than 50 million records and have achieved more than 90 No1 singles across the globe.

Last year, they sold more music than any artist in the world, except Taylor Swift, and have each made a $60 million fortune.

Zayn Malik.

The news comes five months after Zayn Malik left the band. He said at the time that he wanted to be a "normal 22-year-old". Sources said Malik's departure was not the reason for the split.

It marks the end of a difficult period for the band. After Malik left, Tomlinson announced he is to become a father with former girlfriend Briana Jungwirth. And video obtained by Mail Online in May last year showed Malik and Tomlinson allegedly smoking marijuana in Peru. The pair apologised to fans.

The split means the group will not tour to promote their forthcoming fifth album. Their last full concert will be at Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield on October 31.

I will believe that One Direction is breaking up when Harold writes me a personal handwritten letter declaring his intentions to me directly

— Matt Bellassai (@MattBellassai) August 23, 2015

I refuse to believe one direction are splitting up so do not try and convince me😊😊😊😊

— jose (@JosieMarchant1) August 23, 2015

A source told the Sun: "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 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."

The band has a hugely devoted following on social media, mainly teenage girls, who have been nicknamed Directioners.

It has been reported that Styles, 21, may turn to acting, while Horan, 21, wants to release his own music and has been writing with Justin Bieber. Payne, 21, is likely to focus on his DJ career, and Tomlinson, 23, is reportedly setting up his own record company.

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- Daily Mail