Boy band One Direction to split in March: Reports

One Direction's (from left) Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, Niall Horan, and Harry Styles at the 2015 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas' MGM Grand Garden Arena in May 2015. PHOTO: AFP

Britain's top boy band One Direction is set to break up in March, according to reports.

The teen idols - 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, The Guardian reported.

A 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 per cent behind the decision. It is definitely not a split and they fully intend to get back together at some time in the future."

According to Telegraph, the band will not be touring their fifth album, which is to be released at Christmas.

The news comes five months after Zayn Malik quit the band amid rumours that he wanted a solo career.

The source said that Zayn's departure from the band was not part of the decision to disband.

Their final show will be at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield on Oct 31.

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