Full story
KSI exits Sidemen
KSI announced he will leave The Sidemen after nearly 13 years, ending his run as a founding member of the group that launched in 2013.
In an emotional video shared with fans, the 32-year-old content creator, whose real name is Olajide Olatunji, said: “This is honestly the hardest video I've ever had to make in my life.”
He also confirmed the timing of his final appearance, saying: “Today, 31st of May, will be my final Sidemen video.”
KSI framed the decision as personal, insisting: “The truth is, nothing bad has happened. This decision is completely my own.”
He said the pace of balancing multiple careers eventually became too much, adding that he had “started losing the balance in my own life” and needed to focus on “fixing my work life balance” and making time for family and his partner.
Sidemen respond and reassure
After KSI’s exit announcement, The Sidemen publicly responded, saying his departure came before a joint farewell was agreed.
The Express Tribune reported the group revealed that “his announcement was made before the group had agreed on how to share the news with fans,” while also stressing they respect his decision.
In the same coverage, the Sidemen said they had hoped to organise “a proper farewell for their long-time friend and collaborator,” including “a dedicated send-off video.”
KSI, meanwhile, told fans the exit is genuine, writing: “I know this news has been hard to deal with. I know that some people don’t want to believe it. But it’s real.”
He urged the group to respond with optimism, telling them: “be optimistic” and “think positively,” while reminding them they “adore” and “enjoy the content” they make together.
What changes next
The BBC highlighted that the Sidemen remain active through events, noting that a sold-out Wembley Stadium charity match on Saturday raised £6.2 million and ended with the YouTube Allstars beating Sidemen FC in a penalty shootout after a 10-10 draw.
“Social media star KSI has issued a message to his “grieving” former YouTube collective Sidemen, urging them to “be optimistic” following his departure”
That BBC piece also described the Sidemen as a seven-strong group that includes content creators, musicians and boxer KSI, and it said organisers will send money to Bright Side and M7 Education.
In parallel, KSI’s departure is tied in multiple accounts to his desire to improve work-life balance and focus on health, with the Express Tribune saying his decision “stemmed from burnout and a desire to improve his work-life balance.”
For fans trying to interpret the timing, KSI directly addressed the speculation by insisting “nothing bad has happened” and that “This decision is completely my own.”
Even as the group continues, the Sidemen’s own statement described the exit as “the end of an era” but “not the end of the Sidemen,” according to The Express Tribune.
