After the news have rolled out about One Direction taking a break as a group, 1D manager Simon Cowell finally speaks out, saying that the hiatus was "the world's worst kept secret", reports say.

"This has been going for about a year now." Cowell said in his statement. "It was the world's worst kept secret. It's impossible for them to keep going at this pace after five years. We've said to them, take as long as you want and, within reason, do whatever you want."

The 55-year old X-Factor mentor added, "They've so many great songs now they could come back at any point ad do a great show."

Cowell also said that his decision to slowly reveal the news of the band's upcoming break was clearly because he feared it might leave a big impact to their younger fans, especially after witnessing how Malik's fans reacted when the singer exited from the group in March to pursue a solo career.

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

Cowell went on to say, "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."

While social media continues to speculate that certain members of One Direction will be leaving the group for their respective solo careers, Cowell admitted that he really can't see a future without Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson in the picture.

"I think there'll be some solo stuff, then the group will come back together, but it's completely their decision," he said.

Besides leaking the band's decision to take some time off next to the release of their fifth album, Cowell has also openly talked about the former member, Zayn Malik.

"I don't have as much contact with Zayn now," he said. "We decided that if one of them wanted to leave early they won't be with Syco and that my main responsibility would always be with the band as a whole."

Adding to his comments about Malik, he went on saying, "Zayn just needs to keep his head together, make a great record and enjoy life."