:Max Fosh
{{pp|small=yes}}
{{Short description|British YouTuber (born 1995)}}
{{Redirect|StreetSmart||Street Smart (disambiguation){{!}}Street Smart}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Max Fosh
| image = Max Fosh on the Mummys Boy Podcast with Arthur Hill in 2024 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Fosh in 2024
| birth_name = Maximilian Arthur Fosh
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1995|04|03|df=y}}
| birth_place = London, England
| education = {{Flatlist|
}}
| occupation = YouTuber
| spouse =
| father = Matthew Fosh
| website = {{URL|https://maxfosh.co}}
| module = {{Infobox YouTube personality |embed=yes
| channel_handle = maxfosh
| channel_display_name = Max Fosh
| years_active = 2017–present
| subscribers = 4.59 million
| views = 1.47 billion
| silver_button = y
| silver_year = 2019
| gold_button = y
| gold_year = 2022
| stats_update = 17 April 2025
}}
}}
Maximilian Arthur Fosh (born 3 April 1995) is a British YouTuber and comedian. {{As of|2025|02|post=,}} his eponymous YouTube channel has over 4.4 million subscribers.{{Cite web |title=About Max Fosh |url=https://www.youtube.com/MaxFosh/about |website=YouTube}}
Early life
Maximilian Arthur Fosh{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zyyQ23aMb0 |title=I Paid A Private Investigator To Follow Me For A Month |date=19 December 2021 |last=Fosh |first=Maximilian Arthur |type=Video |language=en |time=5:22 |access-date=23 April 2024 |via=YouTube}}{{Cite web |last=Capplis |first=Conor |date=2024-09-21 |title=Comedian Max Fosh: ‘There’s always been this weird fascination with the upper-class nature of British society’ |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/tv-radio/2024/09/21/comedian-max-fosh-theres-always-been-this-weird-fascination-with-the-upper-class-nature-of-british-society/ |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=The Irish Times |language=en}} was born on 3 April 1995 at St Thomas' Hospital{{Cite web |last=McLean |first=Max |date=2025-02-13 |title=YouTuber on hunt for birthday partner born on same day in same hospital as him |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/tourists-london-youtube-fish-radio-one-b2697833.html |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=The Independent |language=en}} in London, England,{{Cite web |date=18 February 2022 |title=Here's how a Youtube prankster became world's richest man for 7 mins |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/trends/story/heres-how-a-youtube-prankster-became-worlds-richest-man-for-7-mins-323093-2022-02-18 |access-date=16 May 2023 |website=Business Today |language=en}} to father Matthew Fosh,{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.facebook.com/harrowassociation/videos/2504132519859725/ |title=We hope you are enjoying the HA Podcasts. This week's spotlight is on our interview with Harrow School Governor and Harrow Development Trust Trustee... {{!}} By Harrow AssociationFacebook |date=9 November 2019 |last=Harrow Association |type=Video |language=en |access-date=23 April 2024 |via=Facebook}} an English cricketer and rugby union player, and mother Helena.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=UYkDAmHdWvk |title=I Have Hidden £10,000 For You To Find - Clue 2 |date=2021-05-23 |last=Fosh |first=Maximilian Arthur |type=Video |time=1:55 |access-date=2024-07-23 |quote="[...] my mother's name is Helena." |via=YouTube}} He has a sister, Talitha.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzt9tSe_KBk |title=Understand Addiction, Why You Are Addicted and How To Break Free With Psychotherapist Talitha Fosh |date=2024-04-23 |type=Video |time=3:15 |access-date=2024-07-23 |via=YouTube}} He attended Arnold House School in Westminster, London{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vt_i2wWxtkI |title=I Recreated My Primary School Sports Day With My Old Classmates |date=26 July 2020 |last=Fosh |first=Max |type=Video |language=en |time=0:24 |access-date=16 May 2023 |via=YouTube}} before progressing to Harrow School{{Cite web |last=Bullivant |first=Tom |date=4 June 2021 |title="I definitely do have responsibility; the level of that responsibility I don't know yet." Max Fosh at The Cambridge Union |url=https://www.varsity.co.uk/interviews/21554 |access-date=23 April 2024 |website=Varsity Online |language=en}} – the same school his father attended – from 2008 until 2013.{{cite podcast |url=https://soundcloud.com/user-398414444/ha-podcasts-harrow-generations-matthew-and-max-fosh |title=Harrow Generations - Matthew Fosh & son Max |publisher=Harrow Association |host=Harry Bucknall |access-date=7 November 2022}}{{Cite web |date=2022 |title=Harrow Newsletter Autumn 2022 |url=https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1670954555/harrowschoolorguk/odkgvqhfifen2yzvxinx/HarrowNewsletter-Autumn2022.pdf |access-date=23 April 2024}}
Career
= Radio =
While studying for a combined honours in English literature and business at Newcastle University,{{cite web |url=https://www.ncl.ac.uk/alumni/news/item/student-media-achievers/ |title=Meet the alumni who have made an impact in student media over the past 7 decades |date=13 April 2023 |access-date=20 September 2023 |website=Newcastle University |author=}}{{Cite web |last=Scott |first=Jim |date=17 December 2020 |title=Former North-East student prints entire CV on car - and parks it outside the BBC asking for a job |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/18952089.former-newcastle-student-comes-bizarre-way-grab-attention-bbc-bosses/ |access-date=24 April 2024 |website=The Northern Echo |language=en}} Fosh began presenting at Radio Tyneside. When at Radio Tyneside, he won gold in the "Best Newcomer" category at the National Hospital Radio Awards in 2017.{{cite web |title=National Hospital Radio Awards - 2017 Winners |url=https://www.hbauk.com/member/awards-page/national-hospital-radio-awards-2017-winners |website=Hospital Broadcasting Association |date=26 March 2017 |access-date=8 November 2022}}{{cite web |title=Radio Tyneside upgrade studio with a little help from the Canford Community Fund |url=https://www.canford.co.uk/News/582_Radio-Tyneside-upgrade-studio-with-a-little-help-from-the-Canford-Community-Fund |website=Canford |publisher=Canford Audio Limited |access-date=8 November 2022}}
On Christmas Day in 2022, Fosh presented a half-hour "TikTok Takeover" show on BBC Radio 1,{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2022/radio-1-announces-first-ever-tiktok-takeover-on-christmas-day |title=BBC Radio 1 announces first-ever TikTok Takeover on Christmas Day |website=BBC |access-date=25 December 2022 |date=13 December 2022}} following an event almost two years earlier which involved printing his CV in large text on the roof of a car, and parking it outside of Broadcasting House in London.{{cite web |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/18952089.former-newcastle-student-comes-bizarre-way-grab-attention-bbc-bosses/ |title=Former Newcastle student comes up with bizarre way to grab attention of BBC bosses |last=Scott |first=Jim |date=17 December 2020 |access-date=25 December 2022 |website=The Northern Echo}}{{cite web |url=https://metro.co.uk/2021/05/06/london-mayor-election-2021-who-are-all-the-candidates-14529670/ |title=London Mayor Election 2021: Who are all the candidates? |date=7 May 2021 |access-date=28 December 2022 |website=Metro |last1=Petherick |first1=Sam |last2=Atkin |first2=Elizabeth |last3=Martin |first3=Rachel}}
= YouTube =
Fosh's YouTube channel has amassed more than 4 million subscribers, and includes "silly" pranks and jokes{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2022/aug/22/shot-comedy-wild-pranksters-most-daring-stunts-edinburgh-simon-brodkin-trump-nazi-golfballs |title='Am I going to get shot?' Comedy's wild pranksters on their most daring stunts |last=Logan |first=Brian |date=22 August 2022 |access-date=19 September 2023 |website=The Guardian}} – as well as other comedic content. The channel was started on 13 January 2016 and posted its inaugural video on 18 October 2017, which started a series called "StreetSmart" (the channel's name at the time) where Fosh would interview people on the streets.
In May 2022, Fosh placed a large sign reading "Welcome to Luton", visible from the approach path for Gatwick Airport, to trick arriving travelers into thinking they were instead at Luton Airport, triggering reactions from local news and social media.{{cite news |title='Welcome to Luton' stunt panics Gatwick Airport arrivals |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-61541224 |access-date=24 December 2023 |publisher=BBC News |date=22 May 2022}}{{cite web |title='Welcome to Luton' prank sign panics Gatwick Airport passengers |last=Coffey |first=Helen |date=23 May 2022 |website=Independent |access-date=17 November 2022 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/gatwick-airport-welcome-luton-prank-sign-b2085406.html}}{{cite web |url=https://www.smh.com.au/traveller/inspiration/welcome-to-luton-sign-in-england-prank-scares-arrivals-into-london-gatwick-airport-20220523-h23y9l.html |title='Welcome to Luton' sign in England: Prank scares arrivals into London Gatwick Airport |date=23 May 2022 |access-date=20 September 2023 |author= |website=Sydney Morning Herald}} Being noticed by the media, Fosh made several appearances on TV and radio, although some people criticised the prank as having caused undue stress for arriving passengers. Fosh had use of the land on which the sign was placed for six weeks,{{cite web |url=https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/news/people/welcome-to-luton-prank-near-gatwick-airport-youtuber-max-fosh-surprises-air-passengers-3704808 |title='Welcome to Luton' prank near Gatwick Airport: YouTuber Max Fosh surprises air passengers |last=Smith |first=Lawrence |date=23 May 2021 |access-date=26 December 2022 |website=Luton Today}} and said that renting the land and materials for the sign cost more than £4000.{{cite web |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/20167272.youtuber-max-fosh-claims-responsibility-welcome-luton-sign-gatwick-airport/ |title=YouTuber Max Fosh claims responsibility for 'Welcome to Luton' sign at Gatwick airport |last=Fuller |first=Christian |date=26 May 2022 |access-date=26 December 2022 |website=The Argus}}
= Stand-up comedy =
Following his YouTube success, in 2021 Fosh toured the UK with his show "Zocial Butterfly", which he had originally written in 2019.{{cite web |url=https://www.livingnorth.com/article/meet-youtuber-comedian-max-fosh-edinburgh-fringe-show-zocial-butterfly |date=August 2022 |access-date=21 September 2023 |website=Living North |title=Meet the Popular YouTuber and Comedian Who Rose to Fame Making Hilarious Videos on the Streets of Newcastle}} He then went on to take the show to the Edinburgh Fringe in August 2022, his debut at the festival.{{cite web |title=Meet the TikTok comedians taking over this year's Edinburgh Fringe |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/comedy/features/edinburgh-fringe-lineup-tiktok-comedians-b2133112.html |access-date=13 November 2022 |last=Lewis |first=Isobel |website=Independent|date=August 2022 }} Isobel Lewis of The Independent rated the performance two out of five stars, said he was "promising" despite lacking the "comedy chops needed for a Fringe show."{{cite news |last1=Lewis |first1=Isobel |title=Edinburgh Fringe comedy reviews, from Jayde Adams to Patti Harrison |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/comedy/reviews/edinburgh-fringe-reviews-comedy-patti-harrison-b2146132.html |access-date=24 December 2023 |work=The Independent |date=17 August 2022}}
Fosh announced his stand-up comedy world tour in 2024 called "Loophole", which is going to be performed between October 2024 and March 2025 across Europe, North America, and Oceania.{{Cite web |title=Max Fosh Official |url=https://www.maxfosh.co/ |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=Max Fosh |language=en}}
= Other =
On 9 September 2023, Fosh played in the Sidemen Charity Match, an association football match to raise money for charity, for the YouTube Allstars team.{{cite web |url=https://www.fotmob.com/players/1532374/max-fosh |title=Max Fosh |access-date=19 September 2023 |website=Fotmob |author=}}{{Cite web |last=Stolworthy |first=Jacob |date=9 September 2023 |title=YouTube fans prepare for Sidemen Charity Match – but which YouTubers will be playing? |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/sidemen-charity-match-watch-channel-b2408427.html |access-date=23 April 2024 |website=The Independent |language=en}} In the 78th minute, Fosh tackled and fouled Sidemen member Miniminter, resulting in referee Mark Clattenburg issuing him a yellow card. In response, Fosh pulled an Uno "reverse card" from his shorts and showed it to Clattenburg, garnering internet and media attention.{{Cite web |last=Perrie |first=Stewart |date=10 September 2023 |title=Player whips out an UNO Reverse card after he's given a yellow card by the referee |url=https://www.ladbible.com/news/sport/player-whips-out-an-uno-reverse-card-after-hes-given-a-yellow-card-799166-20230910 |access-date=23 April 2024 |website=LADbible |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Smithers |first=Dominic |date=11 September 2023 |title=Player who whipped out UNO reverse card after getting yellow card speaks out |url=https://www.ladbible.com/entertainment/youtube/max-fosh-explains-uno-reverse-card-sidemen-fc-754399-20230911 |access-date=23 April 2024 |website=LADbible |language=en}}
In the 2025 match, Fosh was again given a yellow card after a foul on Joe Weller, this time pulling out a mini hand-held shredder before taking the card from Clattenburg and shredding it.{{Cite news |last=Sheldon |first=Dan |title=Sidemen versus YouTube Allstars: Eighteen goals, a shredded yellow card and penalties watched by 2.5m |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6186690/2025/03/08/sidemen-youtube-allstars-wembley/ |access-date=2025-03-10 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}
2021 London mayoral candidacy
{{further|2021 London mayoral election}}
Fosh was an independent candidate in the 2021 London mayoral election, which was won by the incumbent, Sadiq Khan. Fosh said he ran simply to "wind up" fellow former Harrovian Laurence Fox, who was running as a right-wing candidate for the Reclaim Party, which Fox had recently founded.{{cite web |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/insider/who-20-candidates-london-mayor-2021-sadiq-khan-shaun-bailey-niko-omilana-b928031.html |title=London mayoral election 2021: who are the candidates in the race to become London mayor? |last=Strick |first=Katie |website=Evening Standard |date=7 May 2021 |access-date=26 December 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/apr/29/youtubers-count-binface-urine-london-mayor |title=Two YouTubers, Count Binface and a man who drank his own urine. Who gets your vote as London mayor? |last=Golby |first=Joel |date=29 April 2021 |access-date=19 September 2023 |website=The Guardian |quote=His whole shtick is trolling Laurence Fox.}} Fosh aimed to get more votes than Fox,{{cite web |title=Who are the candidates standing for mayor of London this year? |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/london-mayor-election-2021-candidates-b1838216.html |last=Wyatt |first=Tim |date=6 May 2021 |access-date=13 November 2022 |website=Independent}} but failed to do so, coming second from last. Fosh also said he wanted to increase youth turnout.{{cite AV media |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-london-56773655 |title=Max Fosh: 'I want to engage young voters and beat Fox' |date=19 April 2021 |people=Max Fosh |website=BBC}} Fosh put forward a set of comedic policies and said, "I would make a terrible mayor".{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/apr/30/how-youtubers-turned-running-for-london-mayor-into-content |title=How YouTubers turned running for London mayor into content |last=Waterson |first=Jim |date=30 April 2021 |access-date=26 December 2022 |website=The Guardian}}{{cite web |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/xgxxgn/youtuber-max-fosh-rates-london-mayoral-candidates |title=We Asked a YouTuber Running for London Mayor to Review Every Candidate |last=Doherty |first=Simon |date=5 May 2021 |access-date=28 December 2022 |website=Vice}}
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ Awards for radio presenting ! scope="col" |Award ceremony ! scope="col" |Year ! scope="col" |Category ! scope="col" |Result ! class="unsortable" scope="col" |{{abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |
| rowspan="2" scope="row" |National Hospital Radio Awards
|2017 |Best Newcomer |{{won}} |
|---|
| 2018
|Best Male Presenter |{{nom}} |
References
{{Reflist}}