KSI Exits Sidemen for New Project and Partner

He’s one of Britain’s most successful social media stars and built an impressive career, having made his name as part of the hugely successful group The Sidemen.

But , also known as JJ, has sent shockwaves through the YouTube community after posting a video announcing he was leaving the group after 13 years as the most famous member.

The collective, who have amassed 23.2million subscribers on the video-sharing platform since they formed in May 2013, produce videos of various challenges, sketches and video-game commentaries.

They have more than 155 million subscribers across their channels and are made up of KSI, real name Olajide ‘JJ’ Olatunji; Simon Minter, known online as Miniminter; Joshua Bradley, known online as Zerkaa; Tobi Brown, known online as TBJZL; Ethan Payne, known online as Behzinga; Vikram Barn, known as Vikkstar123; and Harry Lewis, known as W2S.

Now, I can reveal the truth behind KSI’s decision to quit the group as insiders close to him tell me he’s ready to focus on his family.

‘KSI has been operating at 100mph for the best part of a decade and, ultimately, something had to give,’ a friend close to KSI told the Daily Mail.

While KSI started his career making videos on YouTube in 2008, he started judging Britain’s Got Talent in 2025 and over the years has . He even bought a stake in sixth-tier football club Dagenham & Redbridge in March.

But after 13 years of putting work first, my source tells me: ‘He’s at a very different stage of life now. Family has become an increasingly important priority and he wants to spend more quality time with the people closest to him, something that’s been incredibly difficult while juggling such a relentless schedule.’

KSI has been in a relationship with his partner for nine years and has kept her identity hidden from the public eye to protect her privacy. They met on dating app Tinder and KSI previously revealed she works a 9-to-5 NHS job, despite his estimated net worth of £80million.

‘KSI has spoken openly in the past about wanting to settle down and have a family one day, but those close to him insist that’s not the immediate reason behind this decision,’ said my insider.

‘This is about creating more balance in his life and being present for those closest to him. Stepping away from The Sidemen gives him more freedom to spend time with loved ones without the constant pressure of trying to juggle countless commitments at once.’

KSI has been open about how important his family is to him. His mother Yinka Olatunji and father Olajide ‘Jide’ Olatunji, who emigrated from Nigeria to Islington in north London, are well known to fans as they frequently appear in both KSI and his younger brother Deji’s YouTube videos.

Just a week before his shocking announcement, KSI told his fans in a video: ‘I went to my mother’s 60th birthday party, with me, my missus, Deji, some old school friends who I haven’t seen in 15 years, my dad and a load of my mum’s friends. The fact she is 60 and over the past ten years I can count how many times I’ve seen my parents just puts a lot into perspective.

‘I can’t keep going on like this forever, because if I just work and don’t find time for my family, things will suffer. I will have all of this money and nothing to show for it.’

Hours before his final Sidemen video was released, KSI took to his own YouTube channel, which has 18.4million followers, to announce the news in an emotional video.

He said: ‘This is honestly the hardest video I’ve ever had to make in my life.

‘After a lot of thought, I’ve decided that I’ll no longer be doing Sidemen videos.

‘For almost half my life, the Sidemen have been my second family. We’ve grown up together. We’ve travelled the world together.’

He later added: ‘The truth is, nothing bad has happened. This decision is completely my own.

KSI completed his video by saying: ‘For now, I need to focus on myself, and I need to focus on fixing my work-life balance, just so I can finally focus on my health, and finally make time to see my family and make time to see my partner.’

The Sidemen grew their audience by completing a range of challenges including their most popular video - with more than 100 million views - where they divided into two groups and took holidays on budgets of $20,000 (£14,867) and $200 in Europe. The group has also raised millions of pounds for charity through hosting football matches and launched their own fried chicken chain, clothing, alcohol and cereal brands. In 2024 the group made The Sunday Times Gaming Rich List with an estimated worth of £50million.

While fans have been surprised by KSI’s news, my insider told me: ‘This wasn’t a shock decision that came out of nowhere. KSI told the boys months ago, so they’ve had plenty of time to process it.

‘There’s absolutely no bad blood. They’re still close and remain good friends. Of course, it will be an adjustment for everyone because they’ve spent more than a decade building something extraordinary together, but the Sidemen are in a fantastic position and will continue to thrive.’

For now, sources close to KSI say he plans to focus on his own channel. ‘He’s already on course to pass 20 million subscribers before the end of the year and he’s more motivated than ever creatively, my source said.

But millions of fans have been left wondering what the future holds for The Sidemen.

The group has historically had an unspoken pact that if any core member decides to leave, the group as a whole will mutually end.

But with the pact scrapped as the boys vow to continue making videos, only time will tell if The Sidemen works without KSI.