KSI confirms exit from Sidemen is ‘real’ as he addresses ‘grieving’ group
By Carla Feric, Press Association Entertainment Reporter
Social media star KSI has issued a message to his “grieving” former YouTube collective Sidemen, urging them to “be optimistic” following his departure.
The 32-year-old, whose real name is Olajide Olatunji, shocked fans over the weekend as he announced he would be leaving the group after almost 13 years making football, comedy and challenge videos together.
The Britain’s Got Talent judge had sparked rumours his exit may have been part of a bet, but he has now confirmed it is “real”.
KSI shared a carousel of images on Instagram on Wednesday of himself alongside members of the group – Simon Minter, Josh Bradley, Vikram Barn, Tobi Brown, Ethan Payne and Harry Lewis – as he addressed his 13 million followers.
He wrote: “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. I will be leaving the Sidemen.
“Writing this is just sad. I’m sad. Of course I’m sad. Going through these images, looking back at the years… it’s sad. We’ve done so much man.”
KSI said he has no regrets about being in the group and described it as “the time of my life”, adding: “It’s been such an awesome crazy journey. I love these guys, and they will always be my friends for life.”
The London-born star also addressed his former group members with a message “directly to the boys”, writing: “I know you’re all grieving in your own way because of my decision, but you knew it was coming for a while.
“I know some of you are angry, some of you don’t want to accept it, some of you might even hate me, and some of you are just upset.
“It’s ok, I’ll always be here for you. I always have been here for you. Don’t see this as the end, see this as a new era or a new beginning.”
KSI told them to “be optimistic” and “think positively”, reminding them of their large audience who “adore” them and “enjoy the content”.
He added: “You’ve done this without me before and it was great haha. But in the end you know how I am, so you know that I have to do this for my sanity.”
The star concluded the post by saying “I love you guys”, followed by a heart emoji.
KSI announced he would be leaving the group in a post on YouTube over the weekend, which he called the “hardest video I’ve ever had to make in my life”.
In the video, he called the group his “second family” and recounted their achievements together such as travelling the world, breaking a Guinness World Record and selling out arenas and stadiums.
He also clarified that “nothing bad has happened” and the decision stemmed from him “losing the balance in my own life” and finding it “hard to find time for my family”.
Along with making YouTube videos, the group has launched its own fried chicken chain, clothing, alcohol, and cereal.
KSI began his YouTube career in 2008, making videos of himself playing the Fifa video game, before moving on to making vlogs and comedy clips, later turning his hand to music, releasing two studio albums.
