Simon Cowell has revealed that the only reason One Direction is referring to their upcoming break as a hiatus rather than a split is because they're still unsure of how the time off will change their plans. 

Speaking to press at the 'X Factor' launch this week, the music mogul confessed that at the moment the break is being described as temporary, but that could change once they've had time away from the band:

"They haven't announced an official break-up because I don't think they're sure they know what they want to do. And after five years I know what their schedule was like. It was gruelling. They would have burnt themselves out."

Cowell went onto add that the lads feel confident in their decision knowing that fans are standing with them:

"They got so successful, so quick and they've got so many good songs now that they could be doing this for five years, 10 years, 20 years. I don't think you should have almost like a master plan other than knowing that any time they came back together I think the fans would still support them."

Follow us: @Pressparty on Twitter / Pressparty on Facebook.