Simon Cowell Doesn't Know If One Direction Will Split Up: 'I Hope They'll Come Back Together'

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One Direction fans across the world were heartbroken when it was revealed on Sunday that the band would be going on hiatus beginning in March, and there's no word on just how long the break will last.

It doesn't sound like Simon Cowell -- the architect behind the creation of One Direction -- has any answers for fans either. In fact, even Simon isn't sure if the temporary hiatus is going to turn into a permanent split.

WATCH: One Direction Reportedly Taking Extended Hiatus in March 2016

"I don’t know if they're definitely going to split up to be honest with you," Cowell admitted to Yahoo Celebrity UK at the launch of the 12th season of The X-Factor in London on Wednesday. "I’ve known for a while that they were going to take 2016 off and they had to on their workload."

Despite 1D being signed to his record label, Syco, and having created the band from scratch years ago, Cowell said he wasn't going to try to convince the boys one way or the other.

"As I've always done with the guys, I said, 'Make your own decisions, I hope you stay together but you’ve got to want to do it for yourselves,'" Cowell said. "But they’re smart guys and they'll work it out."

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Cowell also said that he believes the hiatus will be good for the band, given their "grueling schedule" over the past few years.

"Having a year off is going to be a healthy thing," he added. "I hope they'll come back together afterwards but there's not going to be any pressure from me."

The band's fifth studio album is set to be released later this year, and the boys are expected to promote the record until February, however it looks like a tour for the fifth album likely won't happen.

WATCH: One Direction's Louis Tomlinson Is Going to Be a Dad!

The break could be a good opportunity for Louis, who's expecting a baby with Briana Jungwirth in early 2016.

For more on 1D's upcoming hiatus, check out the video below.

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