LONDON, United Kingdom — Social media personality and Britain’s Got Talent judge KSI has announced he is leaving the YouTube collective Sidemen after 13 years, bringing an end to one of the platform’s most successful content partnerships.
The announcement, made in a video published on Sunday, was later confirmed by KSI’s spokesperson following widespread speculation among fans that the move could be a publicity stunt.
“This is honestly the hardest video I’ve ever had to make in my life,” KSI told viewers.
“I’ve gone back and forth on this decision for a very long time. I’ve spent months trying to figure out what the right thing to do is.”
The content creator revealed that May 31 would mark his final appearance in a Sidemen video.
“After a lot of thought, I’ve decided that I will no longer be doing Sidemen videos. Today, 31 May, will be my final Sidemen video,” he said.
Founded in 2013, the Sidemen grew from a group of friends creating gaming and challenge content into one of the world’s most influential online entertainment brands. The group currently boasts more than 23 million subscribers on YouTube and has expanded into merchandise, restaurants, live events, and streaming content.
Reflecting on the group’s journey, KSI recalled the early days when members recorded gaming videos together without anticipating the scale of success that would follow.
“We built something that none of us ever thought was possible, especially back then when we were making random videos together and playing GTA,” he said, referring to the popular video game franchise.
KSI emphasized that his departure was not the result of internal disagreements.
“Nothing bad has happened,” he said. “This decision is completely my own.”
According to the group, the announcement came as a surprise, although members expressed support for KSI’s decision and wished him success in future ventures.
The influencer explained that increasing commitments outside the group had contributed to his decision. In recent years, KSI has balanced multiple careers, including music, boxing, business ventures, podcasting, and television appearances.
“Over the last few years, I’ve felt myself being pulled in more directions than ever before,” he said. “Between everything else in my life, I feel like I’ve been running at full speed, at 100mph.”
KSI’s departure marks a significant moment for the Sidemen brand, given his role as one of the group’s founding and most recognizable members. It also raises questions about the future direction of the collective as it enters a new chapter without one of its biggest stars.
Despite stepping away from Sidemen content, KSI indicated that he will continue pursuing his other projects, suggesting his focus will shift toward the growing portfolio of ventures that have transformed him from a gaming YouTuber into one of Britain’s most influential digital entertainers.
