'They all gave each other a big hug... it was very touching': One Direction pictured backstage before emotional final gig in Sheffield

By Joanna Crawley For Mailonline

Published: 18:33 EST, 31 October 2015 | Updated: 12:15 EST, 1 November 2015

It was an emotional night for their fans but it appears that backstage feelings were running high for One Direction too. 

A source close to the band told MailOnline: 'They all gave each other a big hug before they went on stage. It was very touching.' 

'The boys spent some time reminiscing about the last few years.'  

Scroll down for video 

All smiles: One Direction were seen smiling backstage together before their emotional final gig on Saturday night 

Cheeky! In another snap Harry is seen sticking his tongue out 

In the picture the boys can be seen smiling while Louis gives a thumbs up to the camera.  

They started their mammoth On The Road Again tour way back in February and 80 dates later,the band  finally bid farewell with an emotional gig in Sheffield.

The group reassured fans, who travelled from all over the globe to see them, that while it was the final show in their tour, it's not the end of the band who have faced mounting split rumours following the news they'll take an extended hiatus next year.  

The four-piece finished off their tour at Sheffield's Motorpoint arena, eight months after they headed on the road in Sydney.

Is this the end? One Direction bid farewell to their On The Road Again tour on Saturday night with a final gig at Sheffield's Motorpoint arena

Fans had travelled from all over to see the group take their final bow, with emotional fans seen holding hand written signs in the queue.

As they took to the stage Harry Styles blew kisses as fans waved their hands in the air and clutched coloured lights.

See more on One Direction's final gig before their hiatus 

This is it: Harry Styles blew kisses at fans as the band took to the stage for the last time 

Emotional: One fan was overcome as she prepared to see the band take their final bow

Saying their goodbyes: Fans had travelled from all over to see the group perform, with emotional fans seen holding hand written signs in the queue

All about teamwork: Despite rumours this week of a rift in the band, the fourpiece seemed closer than ever as they took to the stage one more time 

Long road: The four-piece, made up of Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson, finished off their tour at Sheffield's Motorpoint arena, eight months after they headed on the road in Sydney

It could be the end! A group of Directioners hugged it out outside the gig 

According to fans at the gig, Liam Payne gave the crowd a firm reassurance that they will be back after their planned break, telling the arena: 'This is the end of the OTRA Tour, not the end of One Direction'

The boyband, who were formed on The X Factor in 2010, confirmed their planned hiatus in August, but despite assuring fans it's simply a break and not a break up, rumours have persisted that the group will call it a day once and for all.

1D will release their fifth album Made in the AM at the end of this year before performing at the Royal Variety Show, and making a possible appearance at The Brits before their break.

Inconsolable: There was no comforting some fans as they watched the boys perform

All smiles here: The group kept the mood positive as they thanked their fans 

Dedicated: Fans held signs showing their loyalty to the group, who have been performing together for five years 

Waiting: Directioners will have to wait and see how long the band's break lasts for 

Distraught Directioners: Some dedicated fans couldn't face the thought that this could be it

What now? The band have had a loyal following since their early days on the X Factor in 2010

On Friday Dan Wootton for The Sun claimed that the animosity between Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson has reached breaking point, with their years of rivalry and tension allegedly one of the key reasons for the break.

Citing a source close to the band, The Sun claims that Harry and Louis abruptly fell out in 2012, but no ones knows the real reason why the previously best friends went their separate ways.

'Everyone involved in the band is well aware of the animosity between them. It's been central to everything else that came next with the band because there was suddenly a massive divide,' the insider claims.

It'll be OK: One distraught girl got a comforting hug from her friend 

Good spirits: The band put on an energetic show for the thousands packed into the arena

Showman: Harry Styles delighted the crowd as the band belted out their biggest hits

They'll be back: According to fans, Liam Payne gave the thousands of fans a firm reassurance that they will be back after their planned break

In need of a break: The boyband, who were formed on The X Factor in 2010, confirmed their planned hiatus in August

Giving it his all: Harry showed off his moves and looked in great spirits as the tour came to an end

Niall Horan was quick to respond to the latest rumours though, telling his 23million Twitter fans on Friday:

'don't believe anything you are reading. We stand strong as a band and we're brothers ,can't wait for you to hear what we've been working on. Thank you for all the continuous love and support.'

A representative for the band told MailOnline in a statement: 'It's a shame that some sections of the media love to build people up and then they love to knock them down.

Have you heard the news? Following the gig some Directioners took to social media straight away

Huge following: Dedicated Directioners held handmade signs as they waited outside

Heartfelt: This fan had a special message for her favourite member Louis Tomlinson 

Overcome: While some fans were in high spirits, others couldn't cope with the thought this could be it for the band

What a show: A spectacular light show was put on for the cheering crowd

The end: Many fans dressed up for the Halloween concert 

They came from all over: Some fans had travelled from abroad to see the boys play for the final time on their tour

One Direction have sold 8.2 million tour tickets and over 65 million records worldwide. Their new single 'Perfect' has already hit No.1 on iTunes in over 60 countries and is set to be one their biggest hits ever.

We should be celebrating their amazing worldwide success as a band that has developed out of the UK, and the phenomenal things they have achieved, and will continue to achieve in the future.' 

As the group took to the stage for their final gig, Liam opened up about the heartache he's been experiencing since splitting from his long-term girlfriend Sophia Smith this month.

The singer, who became ill before the band's subsequently cancelled Belfast gig this month, told The Sun hours before performing in Sheffield that he was 'absolutely devastated' about the breakup, adding:

Something to take home: There was a huge crowd at the merchandise stand 

Sweet goodbye: Harry blew kisses for the crowd as they wrapped up their final gig

Making a promise: The boyband confirmed their planned hiatus in August and have assured fans it's simply a break and not a break up

'Being on the tour all this year and being away from her was so hard. We spent so much time apart...Right now I'm looking forward to some alone time to figure out who I am and what I want to be.'

Liam also explained that he's planning to go into 'music publishing, collaborating and writing songs for other artists,' when 1D take their break, adding that he hopes to work with bandmate Louis, who is planning to launch his own record label. 

Farewell: Dressed as a ghoulish bride, one fan couldn't contain her emotions as the house lights came up in the arena

Distraught: Comforting one another fans took the band's farewell in their stride, or not very well at all

In need of a hug: Comforting one another fans gave each other hugs as the concert ended

Rousing exit: Fans looked ready to party as they lined up to head inside the Sheffield arena

Time to go home: Emotional Directioners gathered outside the gig after watching the final show 

Shell shocked: Some fans looked shell-shocked in the wake of the band's exit from the arena

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