One Direction star promised 1D were 'not' going to split after Zayn Malik exit
ONE DIRECTION left fans devastated when they announced their indefinite hiatus. But just a few months beforehand Niall Horan assured his fans that the group would not be breaking up, despite the fact Zayn Malik had quit.
One Direction discuss Zayn leaving in 2015
One Direction lost one of their members on March 25, 2015, during the Asian leg of a world tour at the time. The band were were playing sold-out shows to thousands of people a day, but it became too much for Zayn. He announced via the band's Facebook account that he was quitting the group to live a "normal 22-year-old life". Shortly after, Directioners began wondering if the band was about to split up without him.
The remaining members of the band, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Liam Payne, all continued on with their ongoing On The Road Again Tour.
Two months later, after bouncing back from Zayn's exit, One Direction were nominated for four awards. The quartet were nominated by the 2015 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada - two of which they won, the Top Group, and Top Touring Artist gongs.
During the ceremony, they were interviewed by E! about their uncertain future.
WATCH THE VIDEO AT THE TOP OF THIS ARTICLE
One Direction were asked about the possibility of splitting up after Zayn's unexpected exit. But Niall instantly shook his head and looked at the camera in defiance.
He replied: "We’re not breaking up. We’re having too much fun."
READ MORE: One Direction: Louis Tomlinson plays historic pointed 1D track
Niall Horan reflects on time in One Direction with Dermot O’Leary
Niall continued by speaking about their upcoming album - the record which would be their last, Made In The AM. He said: "We’re making a record at the minute, we’re going on more tours, and we’re coming out to the States in July - so it’s all good!"
Unfortunately for Directioners, Niall's words didn't stay true.
DON'T MISS...
One Direction: Louis Tomlinson plays historic pointed 1D track [NEWS]
'Good chance' One Direction reunion happening this year [INFO]
One Direction star recalled who came up with band's name [INSIGHT]
One Direction released Made In The AM on November 13, 2015, where it went straight to number one. The band then announced they would be going on hiatus from 2016 to have a break from writing, recording and touring.
Just two months later, in January 2016, a report from US Weekly claimed the band's hiatus had evolved into an official split.
One Direction's representatives denied this claim, however over the 12 months that followed, each member of the group released their own solo albums and no mention of getting back together was brought up again.
That is, until recent months. Over the past year the band have been given good odds on getting back together by the end of 2022, with Ladbrokes recently placing the band's reunion odds at 7/4 this year.
Alex Apati said: "It's not a drastic shift in the odds, but it's certainly a move in the right direction as far as fans are concerned... there's every chance a 1D reunion is on the cards before the end of the year."
WATCH THE VIDEO AT THE TOP OF THIS ARTICLE