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It turns out that things weren’t always so breezy between the members of One Direction and their decision to split really came at the right time. According to band member Niall Horan, things might not have ended well between them if they hadn’t broken up.

why one direction spilt
Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, and Niall Horan of One Direction | Dave J Hogan/Getty Images

Horan shares how bad things got for 1D

When One Direction went on hiatus, their fans were understandably devastated by the news. That band had exploded onto the music scene and was steadily cranking out new music and selling out shows. Behind the scenes, things were tense, however.

In a new interview with The Telegraph, Horan revealed that it was time for the band to split, noting that they were heading down a road that could have seen them “ending up killing each other.” He admitted the lack of a timeframe around the split made him “nervous.”

Horan noted: “It was incredible. But we got tired. Not tired of it, just tired out. Five albums, five tours, in five years. We were all knackered. I can never really remember any major bust-ups, just brotherly family nagging, sh**ty arguments like that.”

He added: “But we were gonna end up killing each other. We all sat down one day, had a chat and it was like, we need to take a break. Step back, chill out and try something new.”

Of his time in One Direction, Horan shared that, at times, his role was less than others but he eventually found his value, sharing: “I was a couple [of places] down the ranks in terms of the best singer.” He continued: “It used to make me angry but, in hindsight, I was 17, so I was angry anyway! As I grew up, and went through puberty, the voice got better, the guitar-playing got better. And when the songwriting kicked in, I started to have a bigger role.”

Is One Direction planning a reunion?

One Direction’s bandmate Zayn had quit the group in 2015 and they announced their hiatus in January 2016. A reunion has not yet been announced, though fans are still holding out hope.

Horan admitted that he would have preferred some “timeline,” noting: “There was no timeline on the gap. I would have preferred if someone said five years, and it probably will end up something like that.”

Horan has no hesitation about reuniting with his One Directon bandmates, sharing during the interview: “I’m enjoying what I’m doing, but if one of the lads were to pick up the phone and say it’s time, I’d do it.”

As for Zayn’s decision to leave the band, Horan assures there were “no hard feelings,” noting: “He’s doing his own thing and I don’t know what would happen with Zayn if the conversation came up to get the band back together.”

Are Niall Horan and Selena Gomez dating?

Horan and Selena Gomez sparked dating rumors when they were pictured together, with his arm around her shoulder, during a group dinner last week. Fans were immediately into the idea of the two hooking up, which actually isn’t a new concept. The two were linked together four years ago but neither ever confirmed that they dated.

At the time, Gomez denied they were dating, telling ET: “Oh my god! No. I love him, I always have. He’s amazing.”