by Abbie Moore
Social media star KSI has revealed he will be leaving popular British YouTube group the Sidemen after 13 years.
The news came as an Instagram post from the official Sidemen account on May 31st, stating that they “wish him all the best with his future endeavours” and that they are “still committed to creating the best content” despite KSI’s departure from the group.
Many fans of the group believed the announcement was a joke or stunt as part of a Sidemen video, however a spokesperson for KSI has confirmed the news to be true with the YouTube video ‘Sidemen Among Us IRL But It’s The Dumbest Lobby Ever’ confirmed to be the last he will participate in.
The Sidemen now consist of YouTubers Josh Bradley, Vikram Barn, Harry Lewis, Simon Minter, Ethan Payne and Toby Brown. Since forming in 2013 the group have amassed over 23 million YouTube subscribers from posting game show, comedy and challenge videos on the platform.
In a video posted on KSI’s own YouTube channel, he revealed that years of non-stop work and a tightly packed schedule including YouTube, music and judging on Britain’s Got Talent have come at a personal cost leaving him little time for the people closest to him. He also admitted that he had hardly seen his family over the last ten years due to his work and therefore he is now making changes to focus on life outside of work.
Fans Opinions
Fans have had mixed reactions to the news. I spoke to Sidemen fan Daniel Green, 15, of Liverpool, who told me he still doesn’t believe it: “I still think it’s a stunt to be honest, they’re always doing really extreme forfeits for their videos so I wouldn’t be surprised if this is one of them.” However another Liverpool Sidemen fan, Jake Sullivan, also 15, thinks it’s the right time for KSI’s exit from the group: “He does so much outside of the Sidemen, so I think it’s the right time for him to take a step back from it all, especially as he’s said he hardly even gets to see his family.”
Outside of the Sidemen
KSI, whose real name is Olajide Olatunji, has his own separate YouTube channel with over 18 million subscribers. In addition to making YouTube videos Olatunji also has two Hip Hop studio albums to his name as well as a spot on the Britain’s Got Talent judging panel.
