Simon Cowell has admitted that One Direction's forthcoming break has been a long time coming.

The group recently confirmed media reports that they will take time out in 2016 following the release of their fifth album.

While the singers have kept coy on the break's length, The Sun - who broke the story - suggest it will be for at least one year.

Speaking to the Sunday People, Cowell said that One Direction's wish for a break wasn't exactly kept under wraps.

He said: "This has been going on for a about a year now. It was the world's worst kept secret."

The music mogul added to the Mirror that the news was no surprise within the One Direction camp:

"I kind of hinted a few months ago they'd be having time off. We haven't had a conversation where anyone has said it is the end, but the conversations have been 'we're exhausted, can we have time off?'

"You saw in the film we made that they went out to get shoes and within seconds they were mobbed. You can't live your life like that forever."

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