When One Direction announced in 2015 that they were going their separate ways, there was a collective intake of breath from fans around the world.
Although the official line was that it was a temporary split while the boys “work on their own projects”, many doubted that the group would ever get back together.
And now it seems band member Liam Payne has jumped on that bandwagon, suggesting that the four-piece are miles apart in terms of their musical interests.
In an interview with The Daily Star, Liam, 24, was not able to lay fans’ fears to rest.
He admitted: “I don’t know how we would do it. We are doing different things.
“Our name has never been more ironic at this current moment. It’s like the Avengers have gone wrong.”
One Direction were formed out of five individual wannabes on the 2010 series of The X Factor.
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Though they finished third behind winner Matt Cardle and Rebecca Ferguson, the group – Liam, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson – went on to become one of the world’s biggest pop acts.
However, after Zayn announced in March 2015 that he was going solo, the writing appeared to be on the wall for the group.
And so it turned out – just five months later, the boys dropped the bombshell that they were taking some time out to do other stuff.
The following January, Liam put paid to rumours that it was a permanent split, telling TMZ: “No, no, no. We just got nominated for two Brits!”
However, he now appears to have changed his tune. Since then, he and his partner Cheryl have become parents, and Harry Styles has gone on to become a film star, appearing in the blockbuster Dunkirk.
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But Liam insists that it’s different musical tastes that could prove to be the biggest obstacle in the band getting back together.
He explained: “It could work if we all agree on music.”
No doubt millions of Directioners will be hoping that the boys can see eye to eye again.