KSI, the social media influencer and Britain’s Got Talent judge, has announced he is leaving the YouTube collective Sidemen.
The 32-year-old, whose real name is Olajide Olatunji, has made football, comedy and challenge videos with the group since 2013.
The Sidemen, composed of KSI, Simon Minter, Josh Bradley, Vikram Barn, Tobi Brown, Ethan Payne and Harry Lewis, have 23 million YouTube subscribers.
In a post on YouTube, the content creator said: “This is honestly the hardest video I’ve ever had to make in my life.
“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.
“But 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.
“Even saying those words out loud doesn’t feel real. The Sidemen have been such a huge part of my life for over 12, 13 years.
“For almost half my life, the Sidemen has been my second family. We’ve grown up together. We’ve travelled the world together.
“We built something that none of us ever thought was possible, especially back then when we were making random videos together and playing GTA [Grand Theft Auto].”
The London-born entrepreneur, who appeared in Saturday’s final of the ITV show Britain’s Got Talent, said he remembered the group’s genesis and that he had “no idea that tens of millions of people were going to be watching us on the channel”.
Their most popular video is a challenge where they divided into two groups and took holidays on budgets of $20,000 (£14,867) and $200 in Europe, which has accumulated more than 100m views.
The Sidemen also launched their own fried chicken chain, clothing, alcohol and cereal.
KSI added: “Together we’ve done things I never thought were possible. We’ve sold out arenas, we sold out stadiums. We’ve broken records. We’ve made Netflix shows, we’ve done a lot and we’ve shared so many good moments on YouTube and those moments will stay with me for the rest of my life.
“We’ve been there for each other through some of the highest highs and the lowest lows of our lives. I’ve watched these boys grow into incredible men. I’ve watched these guys grow into fathers. I’ve watched them grow into husbands. And I’m so incredibly grateful to experience that journey alongside them.”
KSI began his YouTube career in 2008, making videos of himself playing the Fifa video game before diversifying into making vlogs and comedy clips and releasing two studio albums.
The social media star recently bought a minority stake in Dagenham & Redbridge football club, who play in the sixth tier of English football.
Earlier this May, KSI’s team Prime FC won the Baller League UK season 3 championship, a six-a-side football competition featuring celebrities, content creators and former professional players.
