He'd barely left the Britain's Got Talent stage when KSI delivered another jaw-dropping moment — announcing his exit from the YouTube collective that made him famous. Just hours after appearing in Saturday's ITV finale, the 32-year-old dropped an emotional video confirming he is leaving the Sidemen after 13 years, sending millions of fans into a frenzy.
The Announcement That Broke The Internet
KSI — real name Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji — posted the heartfelt video on 31st May, confirming that it would mark his final appearance in Sidemen content. His spokesperson later confirmed the news to the BBC after scores of fans initially dismissed the announcement as an elaborate stunt. The Sidemen's own YouTube channel, which boasts 23 million subscribers, subsequently posted a statement confirming the split was very much real.
'The Hardest Video I've Ever Had To Make'
"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. Walking away from something you love is painful. Trust me, it's not been easy. But deep down, I know it's the right thing to do."
In the emotional clip, KSI reflected on over a decade of memories with his co-stars — Simon Minter, Josh Bradley, Vikram Barn, Tobi Brown, Ethan Payne and Harry Lewis — saying the group had been his "second family" for almost half his life. He was keen to stress that "nothing bad has happened" and that the decision was "completely" his own.
Burnout Behind The Scenes
The BGT judge admitted he had been struggling to maintain balance in his personal life, feeling pulled in too many directions at once. "I've spent so long trying to be everything for everyone," he confessed, adding that he had found it increasingly difficult to make time for himself and his loved ones. He acknowledged that "the Sidemen deserve somebody who can give 100%" — something he no longer felt able to offer.
What's Next — And What The Sidemen Said
The remaining six members said the departure "came as a surprise" but wished KSI well, promising fans there is "lots of exciting stuff planned" for the group going forward. For KSI, his plate is already impressively full — he's a musician, former professional boxer, Britain's Got Talent judge, and recently acquired a minority stake in Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club. The collective, which launched a Netflix documentary in 2024 and counts more than 140 million YouTube subscribers between them, will continue without their most recognisable face. Whether fans can truly accept that remains to be seen.
