When did One Direction form, why did they split and will they reunite?

21 July 2020, 13:09

One Direction have been around for ten years. Picture: PA Images

When did One Direction split and what have they said about reuniting? Here's what we know...

It’s been ten years since Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson started their journey on the X Factor.

Since then, they went on to become one of the biggest boybands in the world, with an incredible 36 million sales worldwide and four UK number ones.

But what is the history of One Direction, when did they form and what year did they split? Here’s what we know.

When did One Direction form?

The exact date One Direction were formed was July 23, 2010.

They originally auditioned for the seventh series of The X Factor in front of judges Simon Cowell, Dannii Minogue, Louis Walsh and Cheryl Cole.

One Direction was formed in 2010. Picture: PA Images

Despite the solo singers originally not making it to bootcamp, they were brought back and put into a group.

Simon told them at the time: “Guys, this is a lifeline. You have got to work 10, 12, 14 hours a day, every single day and take this opportunity.

“You’ve got a real shot here guys.”

The boys performed for the first time together at judges’ houses where they sang 'Torn’ by Natalie Imbruglia, and went on to make it all the way to the final.

They came in third place after being beaten by Matt Cardle and Rebecca Ferguson.

When did One Direction split?

One Direction announced they were going on hiatus in August 2015 so they could pursue solo projects.

This came five months after member Zayn Malik left the boy band in March of the same year.

All members have since gone on to release they own music, with Harry Styles even pursuing a career in acting.

Robbie Williams Performs with One Direction on The X Factor

Will One Direction reunite?

With the 10th anniversary of One Direction this year, rumours have been flying around that they will get back together to celebrate.

Speaking to The Sun, Liam recently teased: “We've got a 10-year anniversary coming up so we've all been speaking together a lot over the last few weeks which has been really nice.

"You hear a lot of people's voices and seeing old content and different things that we haven't seen for a long time or never seen before, it's very interesting."

Fans have also noticed that Harry, Liam, Niall and Louis have all started re-following Zayn Malik on social media.

It's thought the boys fell out when Zayn originally left the band in 2015, but could they be putting their differences behind them?

Niall also sparked speculation when he appeared on James Corden's Carpool Karaoke.

As part of a segment with a lie detector, he admitted that he thinks the group will get back together.