One Direction split: The best worst jokes as 1D hiatus rumours swirl

Professor Green and Greg James have been fuelling the gags on social media

One Direction have been continuing as a four-piece after Zayn Malik quit (Rex Features)

One Direction fans may be wallowing in premature heartbreak as rumours swirl that the boys will be taking a lengthy break next year, but not everyone is taking the news quite so seriously.

Rapper Professor Green kickstarted the "going different directions" laughs on Twitter with a joke about the irony of their name, while other less devoted followers feigned devastation and made puns using their song titles.

Radio 1 DJ Greg James asked whether he would have to come back from holiday to report on the news in a similar way to how Prime Minster David Cameron has to "when something big happens" and Daily Mirror columnist Ian Hyland quickly began predicting when reunion tours and reality TV show appearances would begin.

Here's our pick of the best worst 1D gags doing the rounds:

Malik recently signed a solo record deal and has been collaborating with Naughty Boy, while One Direction surprise released their latest music video for new single "Drag Me Down" last week.

It remains unknown what the remaining four members want to do with some time off, but starting work on solo projects is a strong probability.

One Direction are believed to have earned around £25 million each in the five years they have been together.