One Direction are in contact with one another more than ever according to hitmaker Niall Horan.
The Voice US coach has lifted the lid on the former bandmates chatting privately days after it emerged he had been at a recording studio with Liam Payne.
One Direction who went on an indefinite hiatus in 2016, six years after finding fame on The X Factor have never ruled out a reunion and it seems one could be getting closer.
Earlier this month, Liam, 29, revealed that the lads were now part of a group WhatsApp chat which sent fans into a sweet delirium.
However, it is not clear whether Zayn Malik who left the band in 2015 is part of the chat.
Niall, also 29, has hinted that the group are friendlier than ever, explaining: "We've had three or four group chats.
"Some of them have been more quiet than others."
He added to E! News: "This new one is definitely louder than most, and it's been great, Im sure if I had a look at my phone in a few minutes I'd see some messages."
But despite reportedly being in the recording studio in Los Angles with Payne and Louis Tomlinson, Niall explained that none of the lads will feature on his third album, The Show: "That's a straight and easy answer," he told the outlet.
Fans have since gone wild, with one joking: "Confirmation that they know the lyrics to best schlong ever," after Harry Styles posed outside a portaloo with a sign reading: "Best schlong ever".
"Louder?? They send each other messages every minute?? I'm absolutely crying," said a second.
Before a third typed: "I think Zayn is or will be with them. They are grown up, they will talk and remember good old times together. That will fix some things. I do believe in that. How exciting!"
"The One Direction reunion, we are waiting for this moment with so much happiness," penned a fourth.
Louis and Niall are said to have "jumped on a track" with Liam, who is currently working on his second album.
A source said: "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."
When pressed about the group chat suggesting a reunion may be on the cards, Payne refused to answer during an outing at the boxing.
