One Direction
One Direction dedicated their win at the 2015 Billboard Music Awards to Zayn Malik Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Some recent reports have suggested that One Direction could soon be no more, with an indefinite hiatus from music floated.

"The band are to go on a break after promoting the fifth album next year, possibly with a number of live tour dates around the world," a source close to the band is alleged to have said to The Sun.

The rumours come just months after the shock departure of Zayn Malik from the group. The Bradford-born singer flew home from the Asian leg of their world tour in March after being diagnosed with stress, leading to his subsequent decision to leave the band in order to "live like a normal 22 year old".

At the time the remaining four members reassured their followers that One Direction would continue as a four-piece, with Simon Cowell, who put the boys together, stating that "Fans can rest assured that Niall, Liam, Harry and Louis are hugely excited about the future of the band".

The loss of Malik left millions of 1D fans distraught and heartbroken, with the later rumours of the band "taking a break" causing widespread hysteria.

However, despite initial panic, many Directioners took to twitter to demonstrate their devotion to the band by denying the claims.

Much to the relief of the pop group's super-fans, a publicist for One Direction officially put the rumours to rest in a statement, confirming that: "The story is all pure speculation and not based on any facts."

The Sun later appeared to backpedal, publishing an interview with the band in which they assure readers that: "We'll be together as long as fans want us".