Ever since One Direction’s Liam Payne left this world for a better place, fans across the globe have held on to the hope that the remaining members—Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan—might reunite to honor their late bandmate. Rumors about such a reunion have been going around for quite some time, though nothing concrete has come out of it. Now, a fresh batch of rumors has emerged about the upcoming BRIT Awards, adding fuel to fans’ hopes for an emotional tribute from the former boy band.

There is a rumor that Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson may come together to pay tribute to Liam Payne at this year’s BRIT Awards. One Direction has a long history with the BRITs, having performed there multiple times and taken home seven awards. And this new rumor came right on the heels of the re-release of their 2013 documentary, This Is Us, through which the band members once again honored Payne by donating all the proceeds from screenings to mental health charities. There have been other reunion rumors too. 

Alongside talk of the tribute, there have been murmurs about a short reunion tour featuring the remaining One Direction members. While these plans seem to be gathering dust on a shelf for now, an insider spilled to US Weekly last month that a concert could still be on the cards. For the moment, though, all eyes are on the BRIT Awards, where fans hope to see the band come together to celebrate Liam Payne’s life.

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This rumor has sent fans into an emotional tailspin, equal parts thrilled and heartbroken.

Since Liam Payne’s passing, countless musicians and celebrities—including his former bandmates—have shared their grief. Zayn Malik even delivered a touching tribute to Liam Payne during his Stairway to the Sky tour last November. As soon as Malik's tribute to Payne lit up the big screens, fans found themselves in tears. Now, the idea of a similar moment at the BRIT Awards has them stocking up on tissues.

Still, not everyone is convinced. Some fans are still skeptical about the rumors, while some are wishing this remains only a rumor. 

One Direction went on an indefinite hiatus back in 2016, and they have not reunited since. Blame it on internal tensions, individual ambitions, or their wildly successful solo careers—but the band has stayed firmly apart for years. Therefore, now the big question is whether Liam Payne’s passing will be the catalyst that finally brings them back together, even if just for one unforgettable moment.

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What do you think about these reunion rumors? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!