KSI, the YouTuber and Britain’s Got Talent judge, announces he is leaving The Sidemen, the YouTube collective he co-founded more than a decade ago. Multiple outlets report that KSI makes the announcement in a dedicated video posted online, telling viewers that he has been “pulled in a lot of directions” in recent years. He says the decision is driven by his need to regain balance and that he has spent months considering what he views as the right move. BBC News reports that after announcing his exit, KSI addresses his fellow Sidemen members and tells them he “will always be here.” Reports describe the Sidemen as a group formed in the early 2010s that creates a range of content, including challenges, sketches and gaming-related videos. Coverage also notes that KSI’s departure follows the group’s long-running activity and his own rising public profile, including his role on Britain’s Got Talent. While outlets characterize the announcement in different terms—such as “shock,” “painful” or “grieving”—the central point across sources is that KSI confirms he is stepping away from the collective after 13 years.