Harry Styles was the last former One Direction member listed here to have a solo number-one single in the UK.
His debut solo single, “Sign of the Times,” entered the UK Singles Chart at number one in April 2017. Styles later returned to the top with “As It Was,” which became a major 2022 chart hit and extended his lead over his former bandmates in solo UK singles success.
Zayn Malik reached number one earlier with “PILLOWTALK” in 2016. Niall Horan achieved major solo hits, including “Slow Hands,” but those singles did not reach the UK summit, while Liam Payne’s highest-charting solo single, “Strip That Down,” peaked at number three.
The wording refers to the latest number-one achievement, not the last member to begin a solo career. Liam was the last original member to release a debut solo single, but that is a different chart-history fact.