One Direction might split and fans are not happy

One Direction fans are experiencing mixed emotions over news their favourite boy band is about to split. Photo/Herald on Sunday

With reports circling that beloved boy-band One Direction are set to go their separate ways, fans are beginning to cycle through the five stages of grief.

The Sun this morning reported that the chart-topping group - consisting off heartthrobs Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson - had agreed to a hiatus of at least 12 months from March next year to pursue solo projects.

The group would also not tour to support their fifth album and their last full concert would be in Sheffield at the end of October, the British tabloid reported.

WE NEED OUR OWN SHOW CALLED "KEEPING UP WITH THE DIRECTIONERS" BC WE GO THROUGH MORE DRAMA THAN KARDASHIANS TBH#MTVHottest One Direction

— 1D UPDATES (@1DWWAlert) August 23, 2015

Directioners have taken to Twitter to express their shock - or lack thereof - as the news begins to spread.

Reactions have been mixed, as fans venture through the five stages of grief.

At first, there was denial. "I will believe that One Direction is breaking up when Harold writes me a personal handwritten letter declaring his intentions to me directly," wrote Matt Bellassai.

I will believe that One Direction is breaking up when Harold writes me a personal handwritten letter declaring his intentions to me directly

— Matt Bellassai (@MattBellassai) August 23, 2015

I refuse to believe one direction are splitting up so do not try and convince me😊😊😊😊

— jose (@JosieMarchant1) August 23, 2015

Of course, we all know that denial soon turns to anger - and with anger comes ALL CAPS:

ONE DIRECTION ARE NOT BREAKING UP UNTIL THEY GIVE US AN ACOUSTIC ALBUM AND A CHRISTMAS ALBUM

— lena (@Ieenzyy) August 23, 2015

OMG IN THE SUN ARTICLE THEY SAY HARRY IS GOING TO BE AN ACTOR

LMFAO HAVE YOU EVEN SEEN ICARLY

NO OFFENCE BOYS#MTVHottest One Direction

— Ruthyxx (@pop_ruth) August 23, 2015

I DONT WANT ONE DIRECTION TO BREAK UP THEY'RE THE ONLY PEOPLE TO MAKE ME HAPPY FOR SUCH A LONG TIME I NEED THEM I DEPEND ON THEM

— val (@redheartniall) August 23, 2015

Anger eventually gives way to bargaining. It's too late guys ... or is it?

Dear Directioners, don't support 1D's solo ventures if you want them to reunite. Let them flop.

— 🐍💛💜Nicole (@supremehadid) August 23, 2015

I'm all for the boys taking a 'break' because they're overworked but I'm not ready for @onedirection to be over

— Ashleigh Ruberto (@ashleighruberto) August 23, 2015

Then comes depression - and it's only going to get worse if the split is confirmed:

IM NOT CRYING THERES JUST A ONE DIRECTION IN MY EYE

— nmm (@niamhmarym) August 23, 2015

IM LITERALLY SITTING ON THE COUCH CRYING OVER ONE DIRECTION WHAT IS MY LIFE

— whitney (@deimostardust) August 23, 2015

You know when @onedirection have ruined your life when you're sitting crying at them breaking up in March 2016.

— lauren (@laurengilmourr_) August 23, 2015

And finally, acceptance - although only a minority have reached that stage, it seems. Might have to head back to denial for now.

I think the One Direction boys deserve to have a break! They are ALL amazing and they won't disappear! 🙌

— LUCYΛNDLYDIΛ (@LucyAndLydia) August 23, 2015

ONE DIRECTION HAVING A BREAK WOULD BE GOOD THOUGH.

PLEASE TAKE A BREAK, BOYS, BEFORE YOU BURN OUT.

— charlotte (@potterontheatre) August 23, 2015

I don't think I'm ready to accept the fact that one direction are going to be over

— x (@befxurzayn) August 23, 2015

Refusing point blank to accept the One Direction news

— Lauren✨ (@Laur_96x) August 23, 2015

And just to rub salt in the wounds of the One Direction fandom, loads of people made the same joke:

ONE DIRECTION ARE GOING OFF IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS

— Lux (@Callux) August 23, 2015

One Direction have split up?! Or as they should have rebranded it: Different Directions...

— Reev (@TheReevHD) August 23, 2015

Ugh now everyone's going to ask me if one direction are going different directions I literally hate commoners

— lauren (@stylesobsessed) August 23, 2015

- nzherald.co.nz