'Glad you're doing your own thing': Liam Payne and Niall Horan congratulate 1D bandmate Harry Styles as he sends fans wild with solo debut... but critics aren't as impressed

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One Direction went on an extended hiatus last year in order to pursue other projects.

But Liam Payne and Niall Horan proved they were still supportive of their bandmate Harry Styles on Friday as they congratulated him on the release of his new single. 

The singers, both 23, immediately took to Twitter after Harry's single Sign Of The Times made its debut on BBC Radio 1 - sending fans wild, but leaving critics slightly underwhelmed. 

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Man of the hour: Liam Payne and Niall Horan proved they were supportive of their bandmate Harry Styles (above) on Friday, as they congratulated him on the release of his new single

Having dazzled fans with the new track, bandmates Liam and Niall were next to pen their pride for their friend - although Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson remained silent.

In light of his first solo release after months of work in the studio, new dad Liam wrote on Twitter: 'proud of you H. Glad you're getting to do your own thing.'

Following suit was Irish star Niall, who recently embarked on a solo career of his own with single This Town, which reached the UK Top 10. 

Supportive: Having dazzled fans with the track, bandmates Liam and Niall (far left) were next to pen their pride for their friend - although Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson remained silent

'Proud of you': In light of his first solo release after months of work in the studio, new dad Liam took to Twitter to congratulate Harry

Keeping things short and sweet, he simply wrote to his co-star: 'Love it H.'

While the single, entitled Sign Of The Times, sent fans wild on Twitter, it seems critics have been slightly underwhelmed by the rock ballad. 

The Independent admitted his vocals were strong and compared the track to Bowie, but claimed it is 'going to take something bigger than this one track to assert Styles as a serious artist'.

Happy: Following suit was Irish star Niall, who recently embarked on a solo career of his own with single This Town, which reached the UK Top 10

Short and simple: Niall simply wrote to his bandmate 'Love it H' 

Meanwhile The Telegraph called it 'a little boring', but admitted it bodes well for a future solo career in music.  

Harry sent fans wild with his new tune on Friday morning, when it made its grand debut on radio at 8am.  

The long-haired singer - whose band embarked on an extended hiatus in March 2016 - caused a complete social media meltdown, with the title of his new tune trending on Twitter.

Social media sensation: Fans went wild for One Direction heartthrob Harry's new tune Sign Of The Times - even before it had made it's grand debut on the airwaves at 8am

Tuning in: Fans took to Twitter on Friday to share their joy at the pop star going solo 

Superfans took to the micro blogging site in their droves to express their excitement as they counted down to the release.

One fan enthused: 'WE'RE ABOUT TO LISTEN TO FIVE MINUTES AND FORTY SECONDS OF SOLO HARRY STYLES ARE YALL READY'.

'Harry Styles day should be an international holiday', another posted, while a third enthused, 'IM LITERALLY GONNA THROW UP SOLO HARRY STYLES IN LESS THAN AN HOUR'.

Overexcited: Superfans took to the micro blogging site in their droves to express their excitement as they counted down to the release

Memes galore: Big mouthed Bachelor contestant Olivia proved a popular meme 

Pure excitement: Fans couldn't contain their glee in the run-up to the single's release 

Bold claims: Styles's loyal supporters were very vocal about their appreciation for the star 

Tick tock: Twitter was awash with memes as everyone tuned in for the big debut 

Memes were also rife on social media, with the star's admirers going into overdrive. 

And following the rock inspired ballad's grand debut, the excitement went up a notch, with his loyal supporters lavishing him with praise. 

One fan enthused: '@Harry_Styles my baby! I'm super proud of u! That was amazing. I'm feeling like a proud mum love u so so so much!  #SignOfTheTimes'.

'Holy s**t @Harry_Styles . Brilliant. #signofthetimes Not what I expected. Loving it. Can't wait to hear more', another posted.

Others cooed, @Harry_Styles IM SO PROUD FOR YOU ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤', 'Harry Styles is the best thing to happen since sliced bread!!!', and 'my ears have been blessed <33 @Harry_Styles'. 

Well done: Following the rock inspired ballad's grand debut, the excitement went up a notch

Whole lot of History: Fans have followed him since his X Factor debut aged 16

Emotional: Social media users shared crying memes as well as snaps of their own tear-streaked faces 

'Not what I expected': Harry's fans were surprised by the mellow direction of the track 

Speaking out: Harry stopped by BBC Radio One studios to introduce the song with the help of his close friend Nick Grimshaw

Speaking on The Breakfast Show, he said: 'Introducing the I feel a bit sick about this. I'm nervous, I like it - I hope other people like it'

Harry stopped by BBC Radio One studios to introduce the song with the help of his close friend Nick Grimshaw.

Speaking on The Breakfast Show, he said: 'Introducing the I feel a bit sick about this. I'm nervous, I like it - I hope other people like it. 

'It's a bit weird. I feel like I've been hibernating in the studio for so long. It's time to like... give birth!' 

The 23-year-old star also confessed it was the song he was most proud of writing.

Discussing the recording process, he explained: 'We wrote most of the album in Jamaica. I wanted to be somewhere I wasn't going to be distracted.

Word is out: Harry only recently confirmed that he is set to release his first single

'I played the album to my family. There's one song with a bit of a vocal effect. My stepdad goes, "Where did you get the duck from?" No... that was me!'

Harry also heaped praise on chart-topping singer Adele, saying: 'I think she leads by example. She's amazing. When she signs it's incredible. I like how she does things. For my 21st she gave me her album 21 and said, "I did some pretty cool stuff when I was 21".' 

The singer - who has also branched out into acting with a role in Christopher Nolan's World War II film Dunkirk - also spoke about his 1D bandmates going their separate ways.

Discussing the possibility of reuniting, Harry said: 'I think the thing that’s really cool about it is, you know, we all went through that together and it’s like you know, something that we’ll always have in common. I don’t think any of us will ever rule out anything in the future.

'It was a huge part of our lives and I think now it’s really cool to kind of have everyone go and write what they want to put out as themselves, I think that’s something really cool you know.

'It’s the band, it’s one thing. And when it’s all together it’s that and then I think it’s interesting to get to see everyone kind of explore their own tastes as well.'

Speaking about the boys' solo endeavors, he mused: 'It’s been nice kind of getting to listen as people put stuff out and you know getting to see the other boys put out songs, you know they’ve all done so well. 

'It’s amazing to kind of see everyone you know go off and do their own thing and try new things I think that’s really exciting.' 

Taking to social media to announce the thrilling news last week, the star coyly shared three blank images on Saturday night before posting the artwork for his new track.

In the picture, the heartthrob can be seen laying in a pool of water as he stares into the abyss with the tops of his shoes peering out.

Thrilled: Having waited on tenterhooks for the past week, fans of the One Direction star's flipped out as they now countdown the days until they can listen to his solo material - which he is releasing with Columbia Records

Having waited on tenterhooks for the past week, fans of the One Direction star's flipped out as they now countdown the days until they can listen to his solo material - which he is releasing with Columbia Records.

Between the obligatory 'oh my God' and 'excited' comments, a flurry of fans commented on his Instagram post of the abstract artwork with pure excitement for the photo captioned: 'SIGN.OF.THE.TIMES // 7.APRIL.17 //'.

Kicking things off with a dramatic start, one fan wrote: 'You're literally killing the internet Hazza'.

'Are you trying to kill me?' another wrote. 'I'm having a heart attack'.

Another shared under the snap: 'Oh god I'm so excited! I'm kinda freaking out, but eh..it's okay'. 

Excited: Announcing the news also on his Twitter, many used a number of hilarious GIFs and memes to describe how the announcement made them feel

Interesting: Elsewhere, a number commentators on social media acknowledged the coincidence that the Night Changes singer had released the title of his song on the 30th anniversary to musical icon Prince's Sign Of The Times

'Can't wait to see you kill the game,' a follower encouragingly added. 

Announcing the news also on his Twitter, many used a number of hilarious GIFs and memes to describe how the announcement made them feel. 

While other fans insisted that thrilling release had made them feel like a teenager all over again. 

One wrote: 'I seriously cannot wait for @Harry_Styles new single. I'm definitely going to cry when I hear it'.

'Harry styles is releasing a single one week from today and I am suddenly 14 all over again,' another chimed in.

Elsewhere, a number commentators on social media acknowledged the coincidence that the Night Changes singer had released the title of his song on the 30th anniversary to musical icon Prince's Sign Of The Times 

The exciting news comes after it was revealed he will make his live telly debut on Saturday Night Live when Jimmy Fallon hosts on April 15, Deadline revealed on earlier in the week. 

Solo Styles! Harry will return to Saturday Night Live for his first solo performance when Jimmy Fallon hosts on April 15

'When Harry Met Jimmy': The comedian was delighted by the announcement

Having appeared on the show previously with One Direction, it will mark his first solo performance without his bandmates. 

'So excited!!! A young heartthrob and Harry Styles will be on SNL together,' Fallon, announced on Twitter, adding, '#WhenHarryMetJimmy #FallonStylesSNL.' 

Previously, Harry appeared with One Direction on three SNL episodes during the height of the boy band's success; in 2012 and 2013, and in 2014 Harry showcased his acting skills when the group starred in the Girlfriends Talk Show sketch.

It's not certain if the hitmaker will highlight his comedic timing again, but he will make a debut as an actor in Christopher Nolan's upcoming drama Dunkirk.

The WWII thriller is based on a British military evacuation, co-starring Tom Hardy, Mark Rylance, Cillian Murphy and Kenneth Branagh.

One Direction shot to fame in 2010 and climbed the top of the charts with pop hits What Makes You Beautiful and Story Of My Life, among others. 

Creative pursuits: Harry will make his feature film debut in Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk 

Harry was the frontman of the group, which included members Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan but the artists have gone on to pursue other creative interests.

Zayn left to embark a solo career in 2015; In June last year Harry signed a solo contract with Columbia Records; one month later Payne signed a solo deal with Capitol Records; Horan debuted the solo single This Town in September.

Sign Of The Times was produced by Jeff Bhasker and co-written by Harry, with additional production by Alex Salibian and Tyler Johnson.

Harry will make his debut UK solo performance on The Graham Norton Show on April 21, following Saturday Night Live on April 15.

The music video will be revealed later this month. Filmed in Scotland around the Isle of Skye, it is directed by Yoann Lemoine. 

Group action: One Direction members Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan appeared on the program with host Amy Adams in 2014