The ex X factor judge spoke out about the boys to the press association this week saying

“Nothing lasts forever and every pop band has the shelf life of a few years. But when Geri left the Spice Girls, they didn’t finish – they still had a few years. When Robbie left Take That, it was the same. When Brian McFadden left Westlife, they actually worked harder as a four piece.”

“With One Direction, the boys will have to work harder and I think it might help them to gel. They know they have to get out there and do it. Maybe it’s the best for both of them (One Direction and Zayn Malik) because if he wasn’t happy he can have a solo career and One Direction are already a global phenomenon.”

Walsh added: “It’s going to run and run… it might not be what it was, but nothing is. It’s still going to be good […] It’s still One Direction and it’s still going to be great.”