Louis Tomlinson, who was singer in One Direction, is understod to be focusing on growing his clothing brand alongside tours as a solo artist despite chatter he’ll reunite with his bandmates
Louis Tomlinson is unlikely to reunite with One Direction after the death of former bandmate Liam Payne, it is reported.
Chatter has emerged he surviving members could play together again after they were mooted to perform at this year’s Brit Awards. The bandmates eventually turned down the Brit Awards offer, with insiders sharing they feel it would distract from remembering Liam at the event.
And Louis, 33, is believed to have felt strongly about this. His representative said: “Louis just despairs. He could never get up there and sing as part of the band after what has happened.”
The singer, from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, is now thought to be focusing on growing his clothing brand alongside tours as a solo artist. He is also preparing to feature in this year’s Soccer Aid charity game at Old Trafford, which will be second time involved in the contest.
One Direction’s performance at the Brit Awards would have marked nearly six months from Liam’s tragic balcony fall. The 31-year-old musician plunged 45ft from the third floor of the CasaSur hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
In an interview this week with the London Evening Standard, Louis praised an emotional video montage – played at the Brit Awards – which paid tribute to his “brother”.
And in a statement shared to Instagram following Liam’s death, he said he was “beyond devastated” by his friend’s death, and said that he will “always be an uncle” for the late singer’s eight-year-old son Bear. He shared the moving post along with a snap of himself and Liam performing together in 2015, before One Direction announced their hiatus the following year.
Louis is now said to be focusing on his clothing brand 28, for which he has recently launched his fourth collection. Named after his favourite number, which is also tattooed on the fingers of his left hand, he says he celebrates the “chavvy” clothes he loved when he was growing up in Doncaster.
Friends of the band have since claimed that the trauma behind touring in their teenage years has also contributed to their decision not to reunite. Sources close to the Brits have added that there was ‘absolutely no interest’ shown by the boys when they were asked by the committee if they would consider performing.
Louis and Zayn are said to remain close, having been a trio with Liam, although they have become estranged with Harry. Niall is believed to have “moved on” and now runs a talent agency for golfers alongside performing as a solo artist.