KSI leaves sidemen after 13 years, insists there was ‘no falling out’
The YouTube star insists there was no conflict behind his decision to leave the group
KSI has announced he is stepping away from the Sidemen after more than a decade, calling it “the hardest video” he has ever had to make as he shifts focus toward his health, family, and personal life.
The 32-year-old YouTuber, musician, boxer, and Britain’s Got Talent judge—real name Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji—confirmed the decision in an emotional video released on May 31, saying he will no longer appear in Sidemen videos moving forward.
“This is honestly the hardest video I’ve ever had to make in my life,” KSI said. “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.”
He added that after “a lot of thought,” he had decided to step away from group content. “Today, 31st of May, will be my final Sidemen video. Even saying those words out loud doesn’t feel real,” he said.
The Sidemen, formed in 2013, include Vikram Singh Barn, Joshua Bradley, Simon Minter, Tobi Brown, Harry Lewis, and Ethan Payne. The group grew from gaming and Grand Theft Auto videos into one of YouTube’s biggest entertainment collectives, later expanding into live shows, business ventures, and a Netflix documentary chronicling their rise.
KSI reflected on the group’s early days, describing the Sidemen as a “second family” he has grown alongside for over a decade.
“We’ve grown up together. We’ve travelled the world together. We built something that none of us ever thought was possible,” he said. “Back then we were just making random videos and playing GTA, with no idea tens of millions of people would one day be watching.”
He stressed that his departure was not due to any internal conflict. “Nothing bad has happened,” he said, adding that the decision was “completely my own.”
KSI said the past few years had left him stretched across multiple commitments, including music, boxing, and his role on Britain’s Got Talent, leading to an imbalance in his personal life.
“I’ve been running at full speed at 100mph,” he said. “I started losing the balance in my own life. I’ve found it hard to make time for my family, for the people I love. Something has to change.”
He thanked his Sidemen colleagues and fans for their support, adding: “Thank you for the memories, thank you boys for the friendship. I hope you’ll continue supporting the Sidemen because they deserve it.”
The Sidemen remain one of the most influential creator groups globally, known for their massive online following and crossover success into mainstream entertainment.
KSI said he is now stepping back to focus on his wellbeing and relationships. “For now, I need to focus on myself, my health, and my family,” he said.
