One Direction are chatting on a WhatsApp group amid a report the band had a mini-reunion.

Liam Payne, 29, Louis Tomlinson, 31, and Niall Horan, 29, are said to have recently got together at a studio in Los Angeles – without their former bandmates Harry Styles, 29, and 30-year-old Zayn Malik – after the record-breaking boyband called it quits seven years ago, after being propelled to fame on the X Factor.

Liam recently told The Sun On Sunday: “I don’t know – but we just started a new group chat, so that is something.”

A source has also now told the newspaper: “Liam is great pals with Niall and Louis, so loved catching up with them while they were all in LA.

“Being in the studio together felt natural, so they all jumped on a track.

“It was second nature to them singing together and felt like old times. They had a right laugh.

“Producers are hoping Liam includes it on his finished album, fans will love it.”

Liam is working on his second album in LA and the insider added the three former One Direction singer’s collaboration will feature on the record.

Zayn left One Direction in 2015, saying he “had to do what feels right in his heart”.

He added in a statement: “I am leaving because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight.”

The following year, the group’s fans were left devastated when it was announced the group were disbanding.

Created by Simon Cowell, 63, the group released five albums in as many years and the report of the LA reunion and group chat has sparked hopes among fans the full group may come together again and create new music.

When Liam was pressed while talking about their WhatsApp group on if that meant that One Direction would be back soon, he apparently shrugged and refused to comment further.

The band won 200 gongs including seven BRIT Awards, four MTV Video Music Awards, six Billboard Music Awards, seven American Music Awards and 28 Teen Choice Awards.

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