One Direction Taking ‘Well-Earned Break,’ Says Niall Horan
One Direction‘s Niall Horan has responded to a report from UK tabloid The Sun alleging that the group will officially disband in March, stating that the band will not be breaking up.
“We are not splitting up, but we will be taking a well-earned break at some point next year,” Horan wrote on Twitter. The Sun had previously written that anonymous sources confirmed the pop group would disband after the release of their fifth album for an “extended hiatus of at least a year to pursue solo projects.”
A spokesperson for the band declined to comment to Rolling Stone.
Horan went on to reassure fans of the promise of new music. “Don’t worry though, we still have lots we want to achieve!” he wrote. “Can’t wait for you to hear all the new music we have for you and to perform some new songs as the tor [sic] continues! Love you all xx.”
In March, original member Zayn Malik quit the boy band to be a “normal 22-year-old” and live life “out of the spotlight.” Just last month, however, Malik singed a solo contract with RCA. Following his announcement, One Direction released their first single as a foursome called “Drag Me Down.” The video featured the band in space suits and training to take flight as they sing the power pop track.
One Direction are currently touring North America in support of their 2014 album Four. They’ve confirmed the release of an as-yet-untitled fifth album tentatively set for release this fall. As they prepare for the next phase of their career as a foursome, member Louis Tomlinson was recently confirmed to be expecting his first child with Los Angeles-based stylist Briana Jungwirth.