LONDON, Aug 24 — Whatever you do, don’t call it a permanent breakup.

Reports surfaced yesterday saying that teen pop sensations One Direction will take an extended hiatus.

Cue the sound of hearts shattering across the world and a million social media hashtags.

The UK’s Sun was the first to report the news that the fantastic four are planning to part ways, albeit temporarily.

The tabloid said Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Liam Payne want to focus on solo projects.

A 1D source told The Sun: “The guys have been together for five years, which is an incredible run for any boy band. They fully deserve to have at least a year to work on their own projects. There is absolutely no bad blood between them and they are all 100 per cent behind the decision. It is definitely not a split and they fully intend to get back together at some time in the future.”

People magazine reported that the hiatus isn’t scheduled to begin until next March.

Meanwhile E!’s said the group “will remain together and plan to work together in the future.”

Either way, it means that the boys won’t tour in support of their upcoming fifth album, which is expected to drop later this year.

The Guardian said the group’s last full concert will be at Sheffield’s Motorpoint Arena on October 31.

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Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson of One Direction perform on ABC's ‘Good Morning America’ in New York August 4, 2015. — AFP pic

ne Direction are also committed to TV spots and performances before the end of the year, as well as promotional commitments for their record label in February, so there’s still plenty of chances to see them as a foursome before their hiatus.

The imminent break comes months after Zayn Malik left the group to pursue a solo career and live life like a “normal” 22-year-old.

In March, the band quashed rumours that they were set to split up in the wake of Malik’s departure and vowed to continue as a four-piece.

According to an unnamed source who spoke to the Sun, the plan had been on the cards “with or without” Malik.

The source claimed, “Of course, they would have preferred that he had stayed in the band, but they would have taken this extended hiatus even if he hadn’t left.”

However, the final decision to take a break was made after a meeting in London last weekend.

So where does this leave the boys now?

The Sun said there is “a lot of interest” in Styles from Hollywood, Tomlinson is “very much in contention to be a judge on X Factor” next year (apart from impending daddy duties, of course) and Payne may want to focus on his songwriting, producing and DJ skills.

Watch this space.