One Direction fans all over the globe were devastated this week as the lads announced that they will be taking a break in 2016.  However, Simon Cowell has finally broken his silence on the matter and offered some comfort to fans who fear a permanent split. Speaking to Digital Spy, the music mogul insisted that although the break has been in the pipeline for months, there is a possibility that the boys will reunite. Simon is currently judging the UK X Factor.  He said: "I've known for months that they wanted to take a break. "They haven't announced an official break-up because I don't think they're quite sure what they want to do yet, other than have some time off. "After five years - I know what they're schedule was like - it was grueling. They would have burned themselves out. The boys performing in Chicago recently.  With regards to future plans, Simon admitted that the boys don't know what lies ahead for them. "I don't know yet what they're going to do," he explained. "They got so successful so quick and they've got so many great songs now that they could be doing this for 5 years, 10 years, 20 years. "So I don't think you have almost like a master plan, other than knowing that any time they came back together, I think the fans would still support them. I think people would still go to their concerts. It's a high class problem." Five became four when Zayn Malik quit the band earlier this year. Since Zayn Malik departed the band earlier this year, the four remaining members have enjoyed success with their On The Road Tour and just released a new single, Drag Me Down. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jwgf3wmiA04 Video via YouTube/OneDirectionVEVO