The news of ksi leaving sidemen has become one of the biggest stories in the UK creator community. After more than a decade as one of the most recognisable members of the Sidemen, KSI confirmed on 31 May 2026 that he would no longer appear in Sidemen videos. His announcement marked the end of an important chapter in one of YouTube’s most successful creator groups.
KSI, whose real name is Olajide Olatunji, was one of the original members of the Sidemen when the group was formed in 2013. Over the years, the group grew from a collection of gaming creators into a major entertainment brand with millions of followers around the world. His decision to leave has therefore attracted considerable attention from long time fans.
Why Is KSI Leaving Sidemen?
The main reason behind ksi leaving sidemen is personal rather than a confirmed public dispute with the other members.
KSI explained that he had spent months thinking about the decision. He said that he had increasingly found himself being pulled in many different directions and felt that he could not continue giving everything to every project.
His career has expanded considerably since the early Sidemen days. KSI is now involved in YouTube, music, boxing, business and television. He has also taken on major projects outside the group, giving him a much broader workload than when the Sidemen first started.
KSI made it clear that the decision was his own. He also said that nothing bad had happened between him and the other Sidemen members.
When Did KSI Leave the Sidemen?
KSI announced his departure on 31 May 2026.
He confirmed that the same day would be his final Sidemen video. His announcement came after approximately 13 years with the group, making his departure one of the biggest changes in the Sidemen’s history.
The timing also surprised many fans because KSI had remained closely associated with the Sidemen brand for most of his adult life.
The Sidemen responded publicly and confirmed that KSI had decided not to continue as part of the group. They said the news had come as a surprise and wished him well with his future projects.
Who Is KSI?
KSI is one of Britain’s best known internet personalities. His full name is Olajide Olatunji, and he first became famous through YouTube gaming content.
His early videos were strongly associated with FIFA and gaming commentary. His energetic personality helped him build a large audience, and his content later expanded into challenges, entertainment, music, boxing and business.
KSI was born in London and grew up in Watford. He has one well known younger brother, Deji Olatunji, who is also a successful YouTuber and has competed in boxing.
As of August 2026, KSI is 33 years old.
KSI and the Original Sidemen
The Sidemen were formed in 2013 by seven creators who had already built audiences through YouTube.
The original group consisted of KSI, Miniminter, Zerkaa, TBJZL, Behzinga, Vikkstar123 and W2S.
KSI became one of the most prominent personalities in the group. His combination of gaming, comedy, music and competitive energy helped make him an important part of the Sidemen’s identity.
During the following years, the Sidemen expanded their content considerably. Their videos included challenges, football, travel, competitions, comedy and large scale productions.
The group also developed businesses outside YouTube, turning the Sidemen name into a much larger entertainment brand.
What Did KSI Say About His Decision?
KSI described the announcement as an extremely difficult decision.
He explained that he had repeatedly thought about whether leaving was the right choice. After spending months considering the situation, he decided that he could no longer continue making Sidemen videos.
Importantly, he did not publicly blame another member or announce a specific falling out as the reason for his departure.
Instead, his explanation focused on his own priorities and the number of different directions his career had taken.
This distinction is important because online speculation can easily turn an announcement into a story about a feud. The confirmed information is that KSI chose to leave and said the decision was his own.
KSI’s Career Outside the Sidemen
One reason the departure is significant is the sheer number of projects KSI has developed outside the group.
YouTube remains a major part of his career, but he has also built a profile in music, boxing, business and television.
His music career includes several releases and collaborations. He also became one of the most recognisable figures in influencer boxing after competing in high profile events.
KSI has also been involved in major business ventures, including Prime Hydration, which he co founded with Logan Paul.
His career has therefore moved far beyond the gaming videos that originally made him famous.
KSI and Boxing
Boxing became an important part of KSI’s public career.
His rivalry with Logan Paul attracted enormous attention and helped establish influencer boxing as a major entertainment category. KSI later competed against other opponents, including Joe Fournier and Tommy Fury.
Boxing also gave KSI another platform outside traditional YouTube content.
Although the Sidemen played a huge role in his rise, his boxing career demonstrated that he could attract a large audience through other forms of entertainment.
KSI and Television
KSI has also expanded into mainstream television.
In 2026, he appeared as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent, adding another major role to an already busy career. His television work shows how far his career has moved from the early days of gaming videos.
This wider career may help explain why balancing every commitment has become increasingly difficult.
Will KSI Return to the Sidemen?
At present, there is no confirmed announcement that KSI plans to return as a regular Sidemen member.
His departure should therefore be treated as genuine rather than simply assuming that he will return after a short break.
There has been plenty of fan discussion online about whether KSI could eventually appear in Sidemen content again. However, speculation from fans should not be confused with confirmed information.
For now, KSI has chosen to move forward with his individual career while the remaining members continue with the Sidemen.
Who Are the Remaining Sidemen Members?
Following KSI’s departure, the remaining core members are:
Miniminter
Zerkaa
TBJZL
Behzinga
Vikkstar123
W2S
These creators have worked together for many years and remain committed to producing Sidemen content. The group has also made it clear that KSI’s departure does not mean the end of the Sidemen.
How Fans Have Reacted to KSI Leaving Sidemen
The reaction from fans has been mixed.
Many long time followers have expressed sadness because KSI was present from the beginning of the Sidemen journey. For fans who discovered the group during its early gaming era, his departure represents the end of an important period.
Other fans are interested in seeing what KSI does next. His career has already moved into several different industries, so his future projects could take him in new directions.
The response also reflects how important the Sidemen became to internet culture in the UK.
What Happens to the Sidemen Now?
The Sidemen will continue without KSI.
The group has spent years developing its own identity, businesses and production style, so KSI’s departure does not automatically mean that the group will stop making content.
At the same time, his absence will naturally change the dynamic of future videos. KSI was one of the seven founding members, meaning his personality and presence were closely connected with the group’s history.
The remaining members now have an opportunity to develop the next stage of the Sidemen while KSI concentrates on his own projects.
KSI Leaving Sidemen: Final Thoughts
The story of ksi leaving sidemen is more than just another YouTube update. It marks the end of KSI’s regular involvement with a group that has been a major part of his career since 2013.
KSI has explained that the decision came after months of consideration and that he wanted to step away because his career and personal priorities had developed in different directions. He has also stated that the decision was his own and that there was no confirmed bad incident behind his departure.
At 33, KSI already has a career covering YouTube, music, boxing, business and television. Leaving the Sidemen gives him more freedom to focus on those individual opportunities.
For the Sidemen, it begins a new era with six remaining core members. For KSI, it is the beginning of another chapter after more than a decade with the group.
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FAQs About KSI Leaving Sidemen
Did KSI really leave the Sidemen?
Yes. KSI officially announced his departure on 31 May 2026 and confirmed that the day would be his final Sidemen video.
Why did KSI leave the Sidemen?
KSI said the decision was his own and explained that he had been pulled in many different directions by his growing number of projects and commitments.
How long was KSI in the Sidemen?
KSI was part of the Sidemen from its formation in 2013 until his departure in 2026, making it roughly 13 years.
How old is KSI in 2026?
KSI is 33 years old as of August 2026.
Is KSI still friends with the Sidemen?
KSI has not publicly announced a personal falling out with the members. He specifically presented his departure as his own decision and said that nothing bad had happened between them.
Is the Sidemen ending because KSI left?
No. The Sidemen continue with their remaining six core members.
What will KSI do after leaving the Sidemen?
KSI has several areas to focus on, including YouTube, music, business, boxing related projects and television.
Who replaced KSI in the Sidemen?
There has been no announcement of a replacement for KSI as a new permanent core member.
Will KSI come back to the Sidemen?
There is currently no confirmed announcement that KSI will return as a regular member. Any future return would need to be confirmed by KSI or the Sidemen.
