One Direction singer Liam Payne has told fans to keep their heads up after it was confirmed the group will go on a break next year.

The band have now backed up tabloid reports that they will seek a hiatus in 2016 to recharge their batteries.

The Sun said on Monday (August 24) that One Direction will go their separate ways in March for at least a year.

Speaking on Twitter after his bandmates all but confirmed the news, Payne said that there is still "much more to come" from the group.

He wrote: "So glad everything has been cleared up today and ur support with it is amazing not that we could ever expect anything less your amazing.

"Can't wait to put more time into everything we do and coming out with something great.

"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 [sic]."

One Direction are set to release their fifth album later this year, but it looks like they will not tour it.

The future of the group has regularly been called into question ever since the release of their fourth record 'FOUR' last year.

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Watch One Direction's 'Drag Me Down' video below: