Niall Horan will work on solo material with Ellie Goulding.

Ellie Goulding

Ellie Goulding

The One Direction singer and his bandmates are taking a hiatus from the band from March in order to focus on solo projects and Ellie has revealed that she plans to write music with Niall.

She told The Sun newspaper: "I'm going to write with him. He's a really good guitarist and he's funny, cheeky, really cool. He's been my friend for quite a few years so I'm really up for it."

Ellie - who previously admitted she and Niall dated briefly - tipped Niall and his bandmates, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson, for solo success, saying they all have what it takes.

She said: "They've got years ahead of them. They can all sing and I don't know about you but I love every song they release.

"I think they've got amazing taste in pop songs and they work with the right people so I think they could all succeed."

She also had some praise for their former bandmate Zayn Malik, who quit in March to launch his own solo career, saying he has a "great voice".

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