1D insist they are all still going in same direction - it’s just a break

One Direction star Liam Payne today thanked fans for “the most amazing five years” but reassured them that although they are taking a break the boyband is not splitting up — saying: “There’s so much more to come.”

The 21-year-old said he “can’t wait” to have more time to come out with “something great” and said the support of their fans has been “amazing”.

The group — Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles and Niall Horan — will reportedly plan to work on solo projects. Founder member Zayn Malik left recently.

The news of the hiatus sent fans into meltdown with tickets for the final gig of their tour selling for double their face value amid fears it could be their last.

In a series of tweets, Payne wrote today: “So glad everything has been cleared up today and ur support with it is amazing not that we could ever expect anything less your [sic] amazing.”

He added: “Can’t wait to put more time into everything we do and coming out with something great”.

He went on: “Thank you so much for everything you have done for us it’s been the most amazing five years and there’s so much more to come.”

Yesterday reports suggested the band would go their separate ways in March after the release of their fifth album.

The band have since claimed they are not splitting.

Horan, also 21, tweeted: “Ok so Lots of rumours going round. We are not splitting up, but we will be taking a well earned break at some point next year.”

He added: “Don’t worry though, we still have lots we want to achieve! Can’t wait for you to hear all the new music we have for you and to perform.”

He also said they would be performing new songs on the On the Road Again tour, which ends in Sheffield on October 31.

All three Sheffield gigs on October 29, 30 and 31 at the 13,500-capacity Motorpoint Arena have reportedly sold out.