Louis Walsh claims that One Direction won’t reunite for ‘five or six years’

Louis Walsh, who helped discover One Direction on The X Factor, has claimed that they won’t reunite for ‘five or six years’.

The former judge, who has managed bands including Westlife and Boyzone, thinks that the boys need a long break to focus on their solo careers.

Speaking to the Irish Mirror, he said: “All the greats did it, like Westlife and Take That.

“It’s the best way to go out when you go out on a high and they have been phenomenal. They are global stars and their success has been amazing.”

Walsh added: “It’s not the end, they will give it five or six years I’d imagine and then they will get back together.”

The music mogul, who helped create the band back in 2010, claims that Harry Styles will be the biggest star although Niall Horan is also one to watch.

He said: “For me, Harry will be the biggest star, Liam is a brilliant songwriter and producer so he might go down that route while Louis might go into management or buy a record label.

“But Niall is the dark horse – if you ask me he’s the one to watch.”

Horan and band mate Louis Tomlinson took to Twitter on Tuesday to confirm that the band are taking a hiatus but insisted that it wasn’t forever.

The Irish star 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 (sic).

“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.”