David Beckham among stars to bid farewell to One Direction after X Factor performance
DAVID BECKHAM and James Corden were among a host of celebrities to bid farewell to One Direction as they took to the stage in the X Factor grand final tonight for the last time before their imminent hiatus.
One Direction perform for the very last time before they take a break
The boys, looking dapper in suits, returned to the very stage where it all began to sing their hearts out before they exit the music business for 2016.
Behind them was a video montage featuring a whole host of celebrities, including David Beckham, Danny DeVito, Robbie Williams and James Cordon who paid tribute to the boy band.
After their first performance, their judge mentor Simon Cowell told them: “This takes me back five years ago when I met five guys as solo artists, who came together.
“I could never have predicted what happened next.
The boy band hug after their performance
InaRai_989: RT 5SOSFamUpdater: 5SOS thanking One Direction during #XFactorFinal! (starts 00:21)#MTVStars 5 Second… pic.twitter.com/xDXeLvQVzn
— voting acc :) (@sgfgmuke_) December 13, 2015
David Beckham wishes the boy well in the video
This takes me back five years ago when I met five guys as solo artists, who came together
“You deserve the break and I want to take the chance to thank you. You have been an absolute pleasure to work with.”
“Come back fitter and stronger,” Robbie Williams told them.
Danny DeVito added: “Heard your going to taking a break, spend some of that money and take some acting lessons!”
“What can I say, five years and you have given so much to so many people,” David Beckham told them.
“Five years of incredible moments. You’re going to have to come back soon or you’re going to have more videos like that,” the former Manchester United player added.
One Direction performed one last number on the X Factor stage, after which Liam Payne told the audience: “We have had the most amazing five years. We can’t believe what had happened to us.”
“You can see how happy we are, it’s genuine happiness,” he added but appeared glum.
At the end of the emotional performace, the boys shared a touching group hug.
It comes after Louis Tomlinson confirmed the break will last no longer than 18 months, which will no doubt provide some light relief for devout Directioners.
One Direction performs on the stage where it all began
Little Mix wish One Direction well in the video
Devastated fans have taken to Twitter to express their sadness at the news and the hashtag #ThisIsNotTheEndOfOneDirection has already started trending.
One Directioner tweeted: “I’m crying already.”
Another said: “One direction smashed that performance to pieces.”
“I feel like I want to cry over the loss of One Direction for 18 months,” one posted
And a Twitter user wrote: “Back where it all started… Proud.”
Harry Styles performs in the X Factor final show