YouTuber KSI has left the Sidemen, with the group saying his announcement came before members had agreed on how to share the news with fans. The news quickly spread as “KSI Leaves Sidemen” began trending online.
KSI, whose real name is Olajide Olatunji, said in an emotional YouTube video that burnout, health and work-life balance drove the decision. The Guardian reported that he announced his exit on May 31 after more than 12 years with the collective.
The remaining Sidemen members said they supported KSI’s decision but acknowledged that the timing caught them by surprise. Many fans reacted strongly to the phrase KSI Leaves Sidemen appearing on social media. The group had hoped to prepare a formal farewell video and give fans a planned send-off.
KSI said there was no behind-the-scenes conflict and described the exit as his own decision. He thanked each member individually and expressed gratitude to fans who followed the group’s rise on YouTube.
The Sidemen said KSI’s departure marked “the end of an era” but not the end of the group. They reassured fans that the remaining members would continue producing content. Ultimately, KSI Leaves Sidemen represents a major moment for the group and their audience.
The British YouTube collective was formed in 2013 and became one of the platform’s biggest creator groups through challenge videos, gaming, comedy formats and large-scale collaborations. The Guardian reported that the Sidemen had grown to about 23 million subscribers.
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The Sun reported that the remaining lineup will continue with Ethan Payne, Harry Lewis, Josh Bradley, Simon Minter, Tobi Brown and Vikram Barn. KSI cited family, personal well-being, and the need to restore balance as reasons for stepping away. In summary, the headline KSI Leaves Sidemen encapsulates the main story of this significant event.
