The much-hyped One Direction reunion could include new music, it has been claimed.
Page Six reports that there’s ‘still a long way to go’, but early ideas include recording a new single or filming a TV special to mark the band’s 10-year anniversary on July 23 and thank fans for their ‘loyalty’ over the years.
However, it’s bad news as the boys – Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne – and yes, even former member Zayn Malik – have reportedly ruled out going on tour together ever again.
Whole lot of History: The much-hyped One Direction reunion could include new music, it has been claimed – but WON’T involved a tour
The current COVID-19 crisis has allegedly helped unite the five-piece again, putting their ‘differences into perspective’ as they work towards a common goal.
An insider said: ‘There’s still a long way to go and a lot of hurdles. But there’s a lot of goodwill between them now and they want to make something happen.’
MailOnline was the first news outlet to report on Monday that all four boys had started re-following Zayn on Twitter.
Furthermore, the Pillowtalk singer has gone from being listed as ‘ex-member’ to ‘vocals’ on Google search.
In addition, all five of the boys’ albums are now back on Apple Music – with the banner image changed to an old picture featuring Zayn – and their official website has been reactivated.
Saving 2020: One Direction fans are convinced the boys are set to reunite for the band’s 10-year anniversary – including ex-member Zayn Malik (pictured left to right: Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Zayn, and Niall Horan)
Another source continued to Page Six: ‘Each of the boys wants to somehow thank the fans for their ten years of loyalty.
‘Despite each of their solo successes, each of them knows that the greatest thanks they can give to their fans is for them to do something together in tribute to where things began.’
On Monday, #OneDirectionReunion began trending on Twitter after the boys all followed Zayn again, following his departure from the band in March 2015 and severing ties with his former friends.
However, Zayn – who has become more private since embarking on a solo career – has yet to follow them back.
No more bad blood: In a surprise turn of events, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne have all recently re-followed ex-member Zayn Malik – as has the official One Direction Twitter account
Delighted: Fans began receiving Twitter notifications that the boys had followed Zayn again, after his departure from the band in March 2015 and severing ties with his former friends
Keeping us guessing: However, Zayn – who has become more private since embarking on a solo career – has yet to follow them back (pictured in January 2020 with girlfriend Gigi Hadid)
With over 30k tweets about the reunion and counting, fans have been sharing their thoughts about a potential reunion.
One fan wrote: ‘All 4 boys and the One Direction official account just refollowed Zayn i’m having a mental breakdown’.
Another enthused: ‘They put ot5 back up on Apple Music. When you search for the list of 1D members, Zayn is on the list again. IS THIS A 1D OT5 REUNION? Loudly crying face’
‘Ummm tf is happening? Why are all 5 of them back on Apple Music? Somethingssss happening Smiling face with 3 hearts #OneDirectionReunion’, another posted.
The excitement recently went into overdrive when Liam Payne teased they were planning something special.
Officially back in the fold? Furthermore, Zayn has gone from being listed as ‘ex-member’ to ‘vocals’ on Google search
Clues: In addition, all five of the boys’ albums are now back on Apple Music – with the banner image changed to an old picture featuring Zayn
Reasons to be hopeful: One fan, @_loveonharry, has put together an extensive list of all the clues the boys are planning a special reunion
Trending on Twitter: With over 22.4k Tweets about the reunion, fans have been sharing their thoughts about a potential reunion
Revealing the boys – who went on an indefinite hiatus in early 2016 – had been in constant contact, it now seems he could have been hinting at Zayn returning.
He told The Sun: ‘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.
‘There’s a number of different things that we are all working on to try and make happen and people are forwarding emails around.’
Plans in place: The excitement went into overdrive last week when Liam teased they were planning something special, saying, ‘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’
Elsewhere, Niall Horan took a lie detector test during an appearance on James Corden’s Carpool Karaoke last month.
When asked whether 1D would get back together again, Niall confidently replied ‘Yes’, and the lie detector ruled it was the truth.
Speaking on The One Show in January, Louis teased: ‘I think it’ll happen at some point, we’d be stupid not to.’
Meanwhile, Harry – who has thus far seemed the most reluctant to commit to a reunion – told Rolling Stone last year: ‘I don’t think I’d ever say I’d never do it again.’
Yet quizzed about the idea of a reunion via a Zoom call during the current global pandemic, Styles told SiriusXM: ‘I don’t know if that’s the reunion we had in mind. I don’t know if that would be the way to do it.’
Hints: Niall (left) confidently said 1D would be back while taking a lie detector test with James Corden, while Louis (right) said the boys would be ‘stupid not to’ reunite
Interestingly, Niall said earlier this year that the only way for the band to come together again would be for Zayn to get back in touch.
The Slow Hands singer, 26, told The Sun: ‘I’ve got no bad blood with him at all but some things have a lifespan. I don’t know.
‘We will see what happens. Maybe one day we can reconvene at some point, but not right now.’
However, Louis revealed he doesn’t feel ready to make amends with Zayn, who he believes has been ‘disrespectful’.
The singer, 28, admitted that he thinks Zayn has talked ‘s***’ in interviews but said he can understand that sometimes you just want to ‘run your mouth’, referring to his negative comments about the band.
Come on, H: Meanwhile, Harry – who has thus far seemed the most reluctant to commit to a reunion – told Rolling Stone last year: ‘I don’t think I’d ever say I’d never do it again’
MailOnline has contacted representatives for the band for comment.
The boys have been focusing on their solo projects over the last four years, since going on hiatus in March 2016.
The news of their extended break was first revealed in August 2015, just a few months after Zayn unexpectedly quit the band, leaving fans around the world heartbroken.
He had abruptly left the boys’ On The Road Again tour, flying home from Thailand for ‘crisis’ talks with then-fiancée Perrie Edwards.
The singer said in a statement at the time: ‘My life with One Direction has been more than I could ever have imagined.
Happier times: The news of their extended break was first revealed in August 2015, just a few months after Zayn unexpectedly quit the band, leaving fans around the world heartbroken (pictured on The X Factor in 2010)
‘I am leaving because I want to be a normal 22 year old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight.
‘I know I have four friends for life in Louis, Liam, Harry and Niall. I know they will continue to be the best band in the world.’
The group – who were formed on The X Factor in 2010 – achieved phenomenal success during their short years together.
They won 200 awards including seven Brit Awards, four MTV Video Music Awards, six Billboard Music Awards, seven American Music Awards and 28 Teen Choice Awards.
As of 2020, the band has sold a total of 50 million records worldwide.
Success story: The group achieved phenomenal success during their short years together and have sold a total of 50 million records worldwide (pictured in November 2015)