YouTuber KSI, real name Olajide William Olatunji, has confirmed his departure from the YouTube collective the Sidemen, stating the decision was his own and not due to any conflict. In a statement shared to Instagram, the 32-year-old acknowledged that some members and fans are upset, but encouraged them to remain optimistic about the group's future, emphasizing their strong audience and entertaining content. He expressed sadness about leaving but reassured the group that he would "always be here for them," reflecting on their shared journey and calling them his "friends for life." KSI cited feeling "pulled in a lot of directions" with his other commitments, including boxing and football club ownership, as a reason for needing to dedicate 100% elsewhere. The Sidemen, who stated the news was a surprise, wished him well and confirmed they have future plans to announce.