DanTDM

Daniel Robert Middleton{{Cite news |date=2021-06-30 |title=YouTube star comes face-to-face with his waxwork at Blackpool's Madame Tussauds |url=https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2021-06-30/youtube-star-dantdm-comes-face-to-face-with-his-waxwork-at-blackpools-madame-tussauds |access-date=2022-10-05 |website=ITV News |language=en}} was born on 8 November 1991 in Aldershot, England, as the elder of two siblings.{{Cite AV media |last=Middleton |first=Daniel |publisher=DanTDM |date=10 December 2013 |title=Draw My Life – TheDiamondMinecart | 1,000,000 Subscriber Special |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2D9Y6lSFkw |access-date=7 February 2015 |via=YouTube}} His parents divorced when he was a child. He attended the University of Northampton where he studied music production.{{Cite web |title=Former University of Northampton student named most wealthy YouTuber in the world, Forbes magazine reveals |date=8 December 2017 |url=https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/former-university-northampton-student-named-most-wealthy-youtuber-world-forbes-magazine-reveals-1065339 |website=Northampton Chronicle & Echo}}{{Cite web |last=Slater |first=Chris |date=6 December 2020 |title=Meet the YouTube star from Northants who's a multi-millionaire in his 20s |url=https://www.northantslive.news/news/northamptonshire-news/meet-dan-tdm-youtube-star-4401818 |website=Northants Live}} Prior to his career as a YouTuber and author, he worked at Tesco, telling the BBC in 2017 "When I earned enough money off YouTube to match it [my wage at Tesco] my wife persuaded me to do it."{{Cite news |last=Kelsey |first=Rick |date=2017-11-24 |title=YouTube star Dan TDM 'not prepared for being a role model for a young audience' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-42056879 |access-date=2024-08-24 |language=en-GB|work=BBC News}}

Middleton married his girlfriend, Jemma (b. 9 April 1992{{Cite tweet|number=1380575375542120449|user=xjemmamxo|title=Thank you for all the birthday wishes today 🥳❤️ here's to the last year of my 20s 🥲|first=Jemma|last=Middleton|access-date=2023-07-19}}), in March 2013.{{Cite web |last=Lobb |first=Adrian |date=22 May 2014 |title=Diamond Minecraft interview: "I have more YouTube subscribers than the BBC" |url=http://www.bigissue.com/features/interviews/3899/diamond-minecraft-interview-i-have-more-youtube-subscribers-than-the-bbc |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304024508/http://www.bigissue.com/features/interviews/3899/diamond-minecraft-interview-i-have-more-youtube-subscribers-than-the-bbc |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=3 March 2016 |website=The Big Issue}} Their first son, Asher, was born on 5 January 2020,{{cite tweet|number=1215318739652087808|user=dantdm|title=Asher Middleton was born on the 5th January 2020. We couldn't be happier. We have made the decision not to show his face anywhere online so please respect our wishes. Thank you, I'll be back soon :) 💙 xx}}{{Cite tweet|number=1215319046062845953|user=xjemmamxo|title=Our son, Asher Middleton, arrived safely into the world at 10.33am on Sunday 5th January 2020 ❤️ We are on cloud 9 soaking up every minute of parenthood and couldn't be happier 🥰 we will be keeping Asher private and won't be sharing his face online so please respect our wishes|first=Jemma|last=Middleton|access-date=2023-07-19}} and their second son, Miles, was born on 22 November 2022.{{cite tweet|number=1595846784059940865|user=dantdm|title=We are so happy to introduce you to our new baby Son, Miles. He was born at our home on the 22nd November. Overjoyed to add a new member to our little family. As with Asher, we are going to keep his face private. Thank you for understanding. Taking a break 💙}} He opened up with viewers about his struggles with mental health after experiencing severe depression due to the isolation of the COVID-19 lockdowns.

On 6 September 2023, Middleton posted on his Twitter and Instagram about the unexpected death of his dog, Ellie. On 7 September 2023, he posted on YouTube a video titled "goodbye ellie."{{Cite web |last=Tisdale |first=Jennifer |date=2023-09-08 |title=YouTube Star DanTDM and His Family Were Hit Hard With Some Devastating News |url=https://www.distractify.com/p/dantdm-wife |access-date=2023-09-14 |website=Distractify |language=en-US}}

File:DanTDM @ Sportsfile (Web Summit) (cropped) 2.jpg in 2014]]

In 2012, Middleton first created TheDiamondMinecart, a gaming channel.{{Cite news |date=11 April 2014 |title=Dan Middleton's Minecraft videos a global hit |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-26990297 |access-date=3 March 2016}} In August 2014, Middleton signed with the multi-channel network Maker Studios under its Polaris label.{{Cite news |date=26 August 2014 |title=Maker Studios Now Partnered With Top Three YouTube Gaming Channels [EXCLUSIVE] |work=Tubefilter |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2014/08/26/the-diamond-minecarft-maker-studios-polaris/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140831040254/https://www.tubefilter.com/2014/08/26/the-diamond-minecarft-maker-studios-polaris/ |archive-date=31 August 2014}} He decided to change his channel's name to TheDiamondMinecart // DanTDM later on, and on 12 December 2016, to DanTDM.{{Cite web |last=DanTDM |date=12 December 2016 |title=I'm Changing My Name... |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mCiZxmZ7dQ |access-date=1 April 2017 |via=YouTube}} He currently produces videos out of his home studio in Wellingborough. Middleton's content is largely targeted at children, though many teens and adults watch it as well.{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Dan |year=2019 |title=DanTDM |url=https://www.commonsensemedia.org/youtube-reviews/dantdm?gate=1 |access-date=13 January 2021 |website=Common Sense Media}}

As his original fanbase that propelled his career has grown up, Middleton has scaled back his video production schedule and focused more on creating graphic novels, hosting live shows, and DanTDM merchandise. He released a graphic novel titled Trayaurus and the Enchanted Crystal on 6 October 2016,{{Cite news |last=Cowdrey |first=Katherine |title=YouTube's Dan the Diamond Minecart inks book deal – The Bookseller |work=The Bookseller |url=http://www.thebookseller.com/news/trapeze-publish-graphic-novel-youtubes-dan-diamond-minecart-330271 |url-status=live |access-date=13 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826212251/http://www.thebookseller.com/news/trapeze-publish-graphic-novel-youtubes-dan-diamond-minecart-330271 |archive-date=26 August 2016}}{{Cite web |last=Staff |date=3 August 2016 |title=The On-Sale Calendar October 2016 Children's Books |url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/new-titles/on-sale-calendar/article/71090-the-on-sale-calendar-october-2016-children-s-books.html |access-date=13 August 2016 |website=Publishers Weekly}} which remained at the number one spot on The New York Times Best Seller list for hardcover graphic books for eleven weeks.Listings on The New York Times Best Seller list per week: [https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2016/11/13/hardcover-graphic-books/ Week 1], [https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2016/11/20/hardcover-graphic-books/ Week 2], [https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2016/11/27/hardcover-graphic-books/ Week 3], [https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2016/12/04/hardcover-graphic-books/ Week 4], [https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2016/12/11/hardcover-graphic-books/ Week 5], [https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2016/12/18/hardcover-graphic-books/ Week 6], [https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2016/12/25/hardcover-graphic-books/ Week 7], [https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2017/01/01/hardcover-graphic-books/ Week 8], [https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2017/01/08/hardcover-graphic-books/ Week 9], [https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2017/01/15/hardcover-graphic-books/ Week 10], [https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2017/01/22/hardcover-graphic-books/ Week 11], [https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2017/01/29/hardcover-graphic-books/ Week 12, when it fell to the second spot]. He was a featured guest at the Cheltenham Literature Festival and went on a book tour that included parts of the UK and a visit to New York City.{{Cite web |last=Merrell |first=Andrew |date=5 October 2016 |title=Bet you've not heard of the biggest star at literature festival? |url=http://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/bet-you-haven-8217-t-heard-of-the-biggest-star-at-the-cheltenham-literature-festival-2016/story-29780498-detail/story.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012152035/http://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/bet-you-haven-8217-t-heard-of-the-biggest-star-at-the-cheltenham-literature-festival-2016/story-29780498-detail/story.html |archive-date=12 October 2016 |access-date=12 October 2016 |website=Gloucestershire Live}}{{Cite web |last=Merrell |first=Andrew |date=11 October 2016 |title=Hundreds rush Cheltenham Literature Festival tent to reach DanTDM |url=http://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/hundreds-rush-waterstones-tent-at-cheltenham-literature-festival-to-get-a-glimpse-of-dantdm/story-29799439-detail/story.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012235110/http://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/hundreds-rush-waterstones-tent-at-cheltenham-literature-festival-to-get-a-glimpse-of-dantdm/story-29799439-detail/story.html |archive-date=12 October 2016 |access-date=12 October 2016 |website=Gloucestershire Live}}{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=Kelly |date=25 November 2016 |title=Take 'Minecraft' to the Next (Reading) Level With DanTDM's New Graphic Novel – GeekDad |url=https://geekdad.com/2016/11/dantdms-new-graphic-novel/ |access-date=21 September 2017 |website=geekdad.com}} He then embarked on a tour through the United States and Australia in 2017.Grixti, Shannon (19 July 2017) [https://press-start.com.au/news/2017/07/19/youtuber-dantdm-touring-australia "YouTuber DanTDM Is Touring Australia Again"] Press Start AU.{{Cite web |last=IQ |date=15 February 2017 |title=Live Nation takes YouTuber DanTDM on US tour – IQ Magazine: Live Music Business News |url=https://www.iq-mag.net/2017/02/live-nation-youtuber-dantdm-us-tour/#.WN7xvRiUU_U |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818202921/https://www.iq-mag.net/2017/02/live-nation-youtuber-dantdm-us-tour/#.WN7xvRiUU_U |archive-date=18 August 2017 |access-date=1 April 2017 |website=iq-mag.net}} His live show at the Sydney Opera House was the second fastest to sell out in the venue's history. While acknowledging that he might not be a household name "yet", he was noted by the Tampa Bay Times as being "one of YouTube's brightest stars and biggest successes."{{Cite news |last=Spata |first=Christopher |date=29 June 2017 |title=YouTube's Minecraft sensation Dan TDM brings live show to Clearwater |url=https://www.tampabay.com/things-to-do/events/youtubes-minecraft-sensation-dan-tdm-brings-live-show-to-clearwater/2328766/ |access-date=2024-08-24 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}}

In 2017, he starred in a web series called DanTDM Creates a Big Scene starring himself and featuring other social media entertainers and actors.{{Cite news |last=Milligan |first=Mercedes |date=16 February 2017 |title=YouTube Red Slates First Original Kids Shows |language=en-US |work=Animation Magazine |url=http://www.animationmagazine.net/top-stories/youtube-red-slates-first-original-kids-shows/ |access-date=15 June 2017}}{{Cite web |date=7 June 2017 |title=YouTube Is Secretly Run By Insane CGI Kids Videos |url=http://decider.com/2017/06/07/youtube-is-run-by-childrens-cartoons/ |access-date=15 June 2017 |website=Where To Stream Movies & Shows on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Instant, HBO Go}} The series premiered on 7 April 2017 exclusively for YouTube Red, YouTube's subscription service (now called YouTube Premium).{{Cite news |date=7 April 2017 |title=DanTDM's 'Big Scene' Can Tide Diehard Fans Over – GeekDad |language=en-US |work=GeekDad |url=https://geekdad.com/2017/04/dantdms-big-scene/ |access-date=15 June 2017}} The show "follows DanTDM and his group of animated friends as they battle to keep their live show on the road".{{Cite web |title=11 YouTubers Who Smashed It In 2017 – TenEighty — YouTube News, Features, and Interviews |url=http://teneightymagazine.com/2017/12/28/11-youtubers-who-smashed-it-in-2017/ |access-date=10 January 2018 |website=teneightymagazine.com}} That year, TODAY praised his "infectious laugh and an unmistakable British accent" and his personal growth from a "shy, low-profile YouTuber to the master of a creative empire."{{Cite news |last=Coffey |first=Laura T. |date=2017-10-12 |title=Millions of kids adore this YouTube star; here's why parents do too |url=https://www.today.com/parents/dantdm-minecraft-videos-adored-millions-kids-parents-t115094 |access-date=2024-08-24 |website=TODAY.com |language=en}}

In 2019, Middleton was ranked 41 in UK's Top 100 Influencer List by The Sunday Times,{{Cite news |date=8 September 2019 |title=The Sunday Times Influencer List 2019: meet the UK's top 100 |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/technology/article/the-sunday-times-influencer-list-2019-meet-the-uks-top-100-hsmhv8dlp |access-date=25 June 2020}} which also estimated Middleton's net worth to be £25 million.{{Cite news |last=Agnew |first=Megan |title=Dan Middleton interview: playing Minecraft on YouTube earned him £25m |work=The Sunday Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sunday-times-rich-list/article/dan-middleton-interview-sitting-on-a-goldmine-minecraft-sunday-times-rich-list-866bjrxdn |url-status=live |access-date=22 June 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200624190202/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/dan-middleton-interview-sitting-on-a-goldmine-minecraft-sunday-times-rich-list-866bjrxdn |archive-date=24 June 2020}}

File:DanTDM in a Straitjacket at the TommyInnit & Friends Live Show in 2022 (2).jpg at the TommyInnit & Friends live show at the Brighton Dome in 2022]]

Middleton appeared at TommyInnit's TommyInnit & Friends live show at the Brighton Dome on 1 July 2022, with other online content creators, including jacksepticeye, JackManifoldTV, and Nihachu.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AM_kRlnY9_8 |title=MY LIVE SHOW. (TommyInnit & Friends) |date=2022-08-31 |last=Simons |first=Thomas |language=en |publisher=TommyOutit |time=31:06 |access-date=2023-05-01 |via=YouTube}}

{{Quote tweet|name=DanTDM|username=dantdm|date=17 Sep 2024|text=What happened to YouTubers man..

I can't not say anything anymore. This is selling stuff for the sake of making money, simple. How does this benefit their fans?

This is selling crap to kids who don't know better than to trust the people who are selling it to them.

Do better.|ID=1835795173789270178|name2=Dexerto|username2=Dexerto|date2=16 Sep 2024|text2=MrBeast, KSI, and Logan Paul are releasing ‘Lunchly’, a Lunchables competitor

It will feature Prime, Feastables chocolate, and a variation of food|ID2=1835718050764517669}}

In 2024, Middleton spoke out against the launch of Lunchly, a snack-brand kit founded as a joint venture between YouTubers KSI, Logan Paul, and MrBeast. Middleton tweeted in part, "...{{nbsp}}How does this benefit their fans? This is selling crap to kids who don't know better than to trust the people who are selling it to them. Do better."{{Cite tweet |user=dantdm |number=1835795173789270178 |title=What happened to YouTubers man}} Middleton's tweet garnered over 600,000 likes, and inspired YouTubers such as Rosanna Pansino to also speak out. This caused responses from all three founders.{{Cite web |last=Placido |first=Dani Di |title=MrBeast, KSI And Logan Paul Vs. DanTDM—The Lunchly Drama, Explained |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/danidiplacido/2024/09/19/mrbeast-ksi-and-logan-paul-vs-dantdm-the-youtube-drama-explained/ |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=Forbes |language=en}}

• Guinness World Record for "Most goals scored in a game of Rocket League for a team of 2" (shared with Tom "Syndicate" Cassell){{Cite web |last=Doultrey |first=Stephen |date=9 September 2015 |title=Minecraft and Rocket League records smashed at Legends of Gaming event in London |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2015/9/minecraft-and-rocket-league-records-smashed-at-legends-of-gaming-event-in-london-395623 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016235325/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2015/9/minecraft-and-rocket-league-records-smashed-at-legends-of-gaming-event-in-london-395623 |archive-date=16 October 2015 |access-date=17 October 2015 |website=Guinness World Records}} and "Most goals scored in a game of Rocket League (team of three)".{{Cite web |last=Swatman |first=Rachel |date=14 December 2015 |title=YouTube stars including Dan TDM smash Rocket League record at Insomnia gaming festival |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2015/12/dan-tdm-and-team-of-youtubers-smash-rocket-league-record-at-insomnia-gaming-festi-410064 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012222717/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2015/12/dan-tdm-and-team-of-youtubers-smash-rocket-league-record-at-insomnia-gaming-festi-410064 |archive-date=12 October 2016 |access-date=4 October 2016 |website=Guinness World Records}}
• Guinness World Record for "Most views for a dedicated Minecraft video channel".{{Cite news |last=Swatman |first=Rachel |date=27 October 2016 |title=Youtuber Dan TDM enters Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition for Minecraft channel |work=Guinness World Records |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2016/10/youtuber-dan-tdm-enters-guinness-world-records-gamers-edition-for-minecraft-chan-448498 |url-status=live |access-date=1 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030034552/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2016/10/youtuber-dan-tdm-enters-guinness-world-records-gamers-edition-for-minecraft-chan-448498 |archive-date=30 October 2016}}
• Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards in the category UK Favourite Tipster: 2015{{Cite web |title=2015 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards |url=http://kca.nick.co.uk/vote?category=UK-Favourite-Tipster |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150502044913/http://kca.nick.co.uk/vote?category=UK-Favourite-Tipster |archive-date=2 May 2015 |access-date=11 February 2016}} and 2016.{{Cite web |title=2016 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards – UK Favourite Tipster |url=http://kca.nick.co.uk/vote#cat=UK-Favourite-Tipster |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327235626/http://kca.nick.co.uk/vote#cat=UK-Favourite-Tipster |archive-date=27 March 2013 |access-date=19 March 2016 |website=2016 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards}}
• Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards in the category UK Favourite Gamer: 2020.

• {{Cite book |last=DanTDM |title=Trayaurus and the Enchanted Crystal |date=6 October 2016 |publisher=HarperCollins |isbn=978-1409168393}}
• {{Cite book |last=DanTDM |title=Official DanTDM 2017 Diary and Activity Book: Lots of Things to Make and Do |date=17 November 2016 |publisher=Trapeze |isbn=978-1409171188}}

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{{Commons category}}

• {{YouTube|u=TheDiamondMinecart}}
• {{IMDb name|nm7637737}}
• {{Twitter|dantdm}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1991 births

Category:21st-century English male writers

Category:21st-century English novelists

Category:English male voice actors

Category:English male web series actors

Category:Let's Players

Category:Living people

Category:Maker Studios people

Category:Mass media people from Aldershot

Category:Video game commentators

Category:English Twitch (service) streamers

Category:YouTube channels launched in 2012

Category:English gaming YouTubers

Category:Commentary YouTubers

Category:People from Wellingborough

Category:Minecraft YouTubers

Category:Male actors from Aldershot

Category:Male actors from Northamptonshire

Category:YouTubers from Hampshire

Category:YouTubers from Northamptonshire

Category:Actors from North Northamptonshire

Category:Polaris channels