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Sidemen#Side+

{{Short description|British Internet celebrity group}}

{{pp|small=yes}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}

{{other uses|Sideman (disambiguation)}}

{{Infobox YouTube personality

| name = Sidemen

| logo = File:Sidemen Logo.svg

| image = Sidemen collage 5.jpg

| caption = Top to bottom from left column: Brown, Lewis, Olatunji, Barn, Payne, Bradley, and Minter.

| birth_date = {{Unbulleted list

|Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji (KSI)|{{birth date and age|1993|6|19|df=yes}}

|

Simon Minter (Miniminter)|{{birth date and age|1992|09|07|df=y}}

|

Joshua Bradley (Zerkaa)|{{birth date and age|1992|09|04|df=y}}

|

Tobit John Brown (TBJZL)|{{birth date and age|df=y|1993|4|8}}

|

Ethan Payne (Behzinga)|{{birth date and age|df=y|1995|6|20}}

|

Vikram Singh Barn (Vikkstar123)|{{birth date and age|df=y|1995|8|2}}

|

Harry Lewis (W2S)|{{birth date and age|1996|11|24|df=y}}

}}

| occupation = YouTubers

| website = {{url|https://sidemen.com}}

| pseudonym =

| origin = London, England

| channel_id = UCDogdKl7t7NHzQ95aEwkdMw

| channel_display_name = Sidemen

| years_active = 2013–present

| genre = {{flatlist|

}}

| subscribers = {{Rounddown|{{Sum|20.8|8.25|5.55|2.11|24.1|16.3|10.3|5.42|4.68|2.89|4.95|1.71|4.94|2.03|7.61|1.12|3.25|16.3|3.98}}|1}} million (combined){{efn|name=StatsNote}}

| views = {{Rounddown|{{Sum|5.89|4.07|2.77|1.74|6.01|4.20|3.91|2.68|0.82|1.14|0.53|0.17|0.57|0.29|2.15|0.14|1.11|4.81|0.60}}|1}} billion (combined){{efn|name=StatsNote}}

| stats_update = 9 February 2024

| associated_acts = {{cslist|ChrisMD{{Cite web |date=9 December 2024 |title=Sidemen Send Chrismd & George Clarkey On Hilarious Dates |url=https://grmdaily.com/sidemen-pop-balloon/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250316210120/https://grmdaily.com/sidemen-pop-balloon/ |archive-date=16 March 2025 |access-date=16 March 2025 |website=GRM Daily}}|Jme{{Cite web |last=Wynter |first=Courtney |date=30 March 2020 |title=Jme Joins Sidemen For A Hilarious Virtual Rap Battle |url=http://grmdaily.com/video/sidemen-vs-jme-rap-battle |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200331033938/http://grmdaily.com/video/sidemen-vs-jme-rap-battle |archive-date=31 March 2020 |access-date=31 March 2020 |website=GRM Daily}}}}

| silver_button = yes

| silver_year = 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021

| gold_button = yes

| gold_year = 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021

| diamond_button = yes

| diamond_year = 2020

}}

The Sidemen is a British collective consisting of YouTubers, influencers and internet personalities KSI, Miniminter, Zerkaa, TBJZL, Behzinga, Vikkstar123, and W2S. The group produce videos of various challenges, sketches, and video game commentaries across their YouTube channels, which have a combined total of over 138 million subscribers {{as of|2022|10|lc=y}}.{{Cite news |last=Billen |first=Andrew |date=23 October 2021 |title=Who are the Sidemen? How KSI and friends amassed 123 million followers |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/who-are-the-sidemen-how-ksi-and-friends-amassed-123-million-followers-cdnbjjswd |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=24 October 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211023194702/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/who-are-the-sidemen-how-ksi-and-friends-amassed-123-million-followers-cdnbjjswd |archive-date=23 October 2021}}

Beyond their YouTube content, the Sidemen have expanded into various business ventures. They launched Sidemen Clothing in 2014, followed by the restaurant chain Sides and the subscription service app Side+ in 2021, their own alcoholic beverage line XIX Vodka in 2022, and their cereal brand Best Cereal in 2024. The group has also further extended their influence into web series and documentary filmmaking. In 2018, they starred in The Sidemen Show, a YouTube Premium series featuring celebrity guests and global challenges. In 2024, the Netflix documentary The Sidemen Story was released, detailing their decade-long journey and the impact they have had on internet culture. Later that year, they created their own reality game show, Inside.

The Sidemen have also been actively involved in philanthropy, organizing Sidemen charity football matches since 2016, which have collectively raised over £8.5 million for charitable organizations in the United Kingdom.

Members

{{stack|File:Sidemen Book Tour.png}}

The group has the following members:

  • Olajide "JJ" Olatunji – known online as KSI {{small|(2013–present)}}
  • Simon Minter – known online as Miniminter {{small|(2013–present)}}
  • Joshua Bradley – known online as Zerkaa {{small|(2013–present)}}
  • Tobit Brown – known online as Tobjizzle or TBJZL {{small|(2013–present)}}
  • Ethan Payne – known online as Behzinga {{small|(2013–present)}}
  • Vikram Barn – known online as Vikkstar123 {{small|(2013–present)}}
  • Harry Lewis – known online as Wroetoshaw or W2S {{small|(2014–present)}}

History

= 2013–2020: Origins and initial popularity =

Some of the members knew each other before the group was formed. Bradley and Brown both attended Bexley Grammar School in London and Olatunji and Minter both attended Berkhamsted School in Hertfordshire.{{Cite book |last=The Sidemen |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IiVeDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA45 |title=Sidemen: The Book |date=18 October 2016 |publisher=Coronet Books |isbn=978-1473648166}}

The group originates from a Rockstar Games Social Club group made on 19 October 2013 in Grand Theft Auto Online, called "The Ultimate Sidemen", which included all the members except for Lewis. In January 2014, Bradley met Lewis while at a FIFA gaming event in New York City and invited him to join the group. Describing the group name, Minter said in a video that "A sideman is basically someone's bitch who just follows them around [...] I was basically JJ's bitch that followed him around."{{Cite news |date=13 November 2019 |title=KSI: how the YouTube millionaire, who beat Logan Paul in a celebrity boxing rematch, made his name |work=Business Insider |agency=South China Morning Post |url=https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3037479/ksi-how-youtube-millionaire-who-beat-logan-paul-celebrity |access-date=8 March 2020}}

{{stack|File:Sidemen, Calfreezy, NepentheZ (with Vik).jpg at the first "Sidemen House".]]}}

In February 2014, Olatunji, Minter, Bradley, and Barn moved into a house together near London, which they referred to as the "Sidemen House",{{Cite news |last=Shaw |first=Dougal |date=19 April 2020 |title=Coronavirus: UK's first 'TikTok house' opens during outbreak |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-52223908 |url-status=live |access-date=7 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200507192151/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-52223908 |archive-date=7 May 2020}}{{Cite news |date=20 April 2020 |title=TikTok UK house: Who's in it and what do you need to know? |work=Newsround |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/52354393 |url-status=live |access-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610013433/https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/52354393 |archive-date=10 June 2020}} which allowed them to collaborate more often.{{Cite magazine |last=Reiner |first=Andrew |date=30 April 2015 |title=An Interview With YouTube Sensation Vikkstar123 |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2015/04/30/an-interview-with-youtube-sensation-vikkstar123.aspx |url-status=live |magazine=Game Informer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200310035431/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2015/04/30/an-interview-with-youtube-sensation-vikkstar123.aspx |archive-date=10 March 2020 |access-date=10 March 2020}}

In 2016, Olatunji, Minter, Bradley, and Barn moved into another "Sidemen House", living in a 15,000-square-foot, $8.5 million mansion in Bromley, London.{{Cite web |last=Baldwin |first=Keith |date=23 September 2020 |title=10 of the Craziest YouTube and TikTok Content Houses |url=https://www.popdust.com/10-craziest-content-houses-2647766364.html |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=PopDust |language=en}} In November 2016, the Sidemen collaborated with Rocket League to release an in-game SDMN FC community flag that users can get for free inside the game.{{Cite web |last=CONNORS |first=DEVIN |date=15 November 2016 |title=VIKKSTAR123 AND SDMN FC COMMUNITY FLAGS COMING SOON |url=https://www.rocketleague.com/en/news/vikkstar123-sidemen-sdmnfc-community-flags |access-date=19 June 2024 |website=Rocket League}} The group's official YouTube channel, launched for the inaugural Sidemen Charity Match that year, became the fastest channel to reach one million subscribers.{{Cite web |title=The Valley to host charity football match featuring famous YouTubers {{!}} Charlton Athletic Football Club |url=https://www.charltonafc.com/news/view/595526aa1616a/the-valley-to-host-charity-football-match-featuring-famous-youtubers |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=www.charltonafc.com |language=en}}

On 1 December 2020, the group's eponymous YouTube channel surpassed 10 million subscribers. Each member of the group was awarded their own Diamond Play Button by YouTube to mark their milestone.{{Cite web |last=Savic |first=Nikola |date=2 December 2020 |title=YouTuber's The Sidemen celebrate 10 million subscriber milestone |url=https://www.ginx.tv/en/youtube/the-sidemen-celebrate-huge-youtube-milestone |website=Ginx}}

In March 2020, the Sidemen released a twenty-minute YouTube video titled "#StayHome". The video featured the Sidemen and more than one hundred other YouTube video creators and other celebrities raising awareness of the UK's "stay at home" campaign which aimed to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the UK.{{Cite web |date=29 March 2020 |title=Coronavirus: YouTube stars urge fans to stay at home |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-52084700 |access-date=29 March 2020 |website=BBC News}}{{Cite web |date=29 March 2020 |title=KSI and Saffron Barker urge fans to stay inside as YouTube stars band together during coronavirus crisis |url=https://metro.co.uk/2020/03/29/ksi-saffron-barker-urge-fans-stay-inside-youtube-stars-band-together-coronavirus-crisis-12475625/ |access-date=29 March 2020 |website=Metro}} All of the advertising revenue generated from the video was donated to the NHS.{{Cite web |date=29 March 2020 |title=Coronavirus: YouTube stars and celebrities rally together to urge fans to 'stay home' |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tech/coronavirus-youtube-stars-celebrities-rally-21778074 |access-date=29 March 2020 |website=Daily Mirror}}

= 2021–present: Expanded content and continued growth =

In August 2021, the Sidemen signed with a London-based digital talent management company called Arcade Media.{{Cite web |last=Weiss |first=Geoff |date=2021-08-09 |title=Just-Formed Digital Talent Management Firm 'Arcade Media' Signs The Sidemen (Exclusive) |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/08/09/digital-talent-management-arcade-media-signs-the-sidemen/ |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=Tubefilter |language=en-US}}

In April 2023, the Sidemen garnered controversy when Olatunji said the racial slur "Paki" in a Sidemen Sunday video published on 2 April; a parody of the British game show Countdown.{{Cite web |date=3 April 2023 |title=KSI apologises for racial slur in Sidemen YouTube video |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-65162143 |access-date=4 April 2023 |website=BBC}}{{Cite magazine |last=Blistein |first=Jon |date=3 April 2023 |title='I've Been Messing Up A Lot': British Rapper KSI Apologizes for Using Racist Slur |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/ksi-apologizes-racist-slur-sidemen-video-1234708323/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=4 April 2023}} The Sidemen group were criticised on Twitter after a clip of Olatunji speaking the slur went viral, including criticisms from DJ and presenter Bobby Friction and comedian Guz Khan among others.{{Cite web |last=Kanter |first=Jake |date=3 April 2023 |title=KSI Apologizes, Deletes YouTube Video & Plans Social Media Break After Racial Slur Sparks Outrage |url=https://deadline.com/2023/04/ksi-apologizes-racial-slur-youtube-countdown-sidemen-1235316067/ |access-date=4 April 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} Hours later, Olatunji tweeted an apology for the slur{{Cite tweet |number=1642721867529351168 |user=KSI |title=I wanna apologise for saying a racial slur in a recent Sidemen video. There's no excuse, no matter the circumstances, I shouldn't have said it and I'm sorry. I've always said to my audience that they shouldn't worship me or put me on a pedestal because I'm human. Im [sic] not perfect, I'm gonna mess up in life, and lately I've been messing up a lot. |author=KSI |date=2 April 2023 |access-date=4 April 2023 |language=en}} and announced that he would be taking a break from social media.{{Cite web |last=Gach |first=Ethan |date=3 April 2023 |title=Popular YouTuber KSI And The Sidemen Apologize For Racial Slur Joke |url=https://kotaku.com/ksi-sidemen-countdown-youtube-slur-apologize-break-1850294235 |access-date=4 April 2023 |website=Kotaku |publisher=G/O Media}} The Sidemen Twitter account also released a statement the following day apologising for the slur, with the statement reading, "We stand against racism and discrimination of any kind and we failed to do that."{{Cite tweet |number=1642858788863524865 |user=Sidemen |title=[Image featuring a statement that begins with, 'During yesterday's 'Sidemen Sunday' a racial slur was said during the video.'] |author=Sidemen |date=3 April 2023 |access-date=4 April 2023 |language=en}} The full video in question has since been privatised. In an interview held before the 2023 Sidemen Charity Match, Barn told the BBC regarding the slur that the group had "very serious meetings" about the acceptability of what they joke about, saying, "We had to acknowledge that things are different to when we first all started platforms and the world has changed as a place. We saw it as a lesson and moved on from there and I think people were very understanding of that and allowed us to carry on doing what we're doing with a better sense of responsibility."{{cite web|last=Rackham|first=Annabel|title=The Sidemen: Our YouTube content lets you escape|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-66750901|website=BBC.com|access-date=9 September 2023|date=8 September 2023}}

In July 2023, the group invested in The Fellas Studios, a production company founded by YouTubers Callum Airey and Joshua Larkin.{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Jess |date=2023-07-06 |title=YouTube stars including KSI and Sidemen invest £1.5m in emerging video-podcast studio |url=https://www.cityam.com/youtube-stars-including-ksi-and-sidemen-invest-1-5m-in-emerging-video-podcast-studio/ |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=CityAM |language=en-GB}} On 3 July 2023, the group participated in a collaborative hide-and-seek challenge video with Paradise Wildlife Park, a Hertfordshire-based zoo. This initiative was part of a broader partnership aimed at supporting the zoo's conservation efforts.{{Cite news |last=Lewis |first=Kate |date=2023-07-03 |title=KSI and Sidemen hand-feed tigers at Paradise Wildlife Park |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-66084852 |access-date=2024-10-21 |work=BBC |language=en-GB}} On 26 September 2023, the Sidemen signed with United Talent Agency, an American talent agency, for their representation in all areas of North America.{{Cite web |last=Franklin |first=McKinley |date=2023-09-26 |title=UTA Signs British YouTube Creator Group Sidemen (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2023/biz/news/uta-sidemen-youtube-creators-1235728232/ |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} On 17 August 2024, the group appeared and was ranked 21st on The Times's list of "The UK’s top 30 richest gamers and creators in 2024", estimating £50 million in fortune shared among the group.{{Cite news |last=Joshua Lamb |first=Robert Watts |date=17 August 2024 |title=The UK's top 30 richest gamers and creators in 2024 |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/gaming/article/rich-gamers-list-uk-2024-0zxb9l9bk |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008024603/https://www.thetimes.com/culture/gaming/article/rich-gamers-list-uk-2024-0zxb9l9bk |archive-date=8 October 2024 |access-date=21 October 2024 |work=The Times}}

YouTube channels

The group has four YouTube channels, Sidemen, MoreSidemen, SidemenReacts, and SidemenShorts across which it publishes a variety of videos including challenges, sketches and video game commentaries.{{Cite web |last=Andrews |first=Farah |date=11 September 2019 |title=Insomnia Dubai: YouTube stars Sidemen coming to gaming convention |url=https://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/insomnia-dubai-youtube-stars-sidemen-coming-to-gaming-convention-1.909130 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191027153116/https://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/insomnia-dubai-youtube-stars-sidemen-coming-to-gaming-convention-1.909130 |archive-date=27 October 2019 |access-date=27 October 2019 |website=The National}}{{Cite news |date=10 September 2019 |title=YouTube stars The Sidemen at Insomnia Dubai Gaming Festival |url=https://gulfnews.com/going-out/events/youtube-stars-the-sidemen-at-insomnia-dubai-gaming-festival-1.66332042 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191027153117/https://gulfnews.com/going-out/events/youtube-stars-the-sidemen-at-insomnia-dubai-gaming-festival-1.66332042 |archive-date=27 October 2019 |access-date=27 October 2019 |work=Gulf News}}{{Cite web |last=Dodgson |first=Lindsay |title=Then And Now: How 30 of the world's most famous YouTubers have changed since their first videos |url=https://www.insider.com/what-youtubers-looked-like-first-video-vs-now-2019-10#ksi-205-million-followers-28 |access-date=27 October 2019 |website=Insider}}

{{As of|2025|01}}, the Sidemen channel has over 22 million subscribers and 6.7 billion views, MoreSidemen has over 9 million subscribers and 5 billion views, SidemenReacts has over 5.7 million subscribers and 3.2 billion views, and SidemenShorts has over 2.1 million subscribers and 1.8 billion views.

Other ventures

= Sidemen Clothing =

{{multiple image

| align = right

| direction = horizontal

| width = 100

| total_width = 400

| image1 = Side+.png

| image2 = XIX Vodka logo.png

| caption1 = Side+

| caption2 = XIX Vodka

| caption_align = center

}}

Since 2014, the group has sold and distributed Sidemen Clothing merchandise.{{Cite web |date=30 December 2014 |title=Sidemen Clothing Limited – Overview |url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/09369821 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224000522/https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/09369821 |archive-date=24 February 2020 |access-date=23 February 2020 |publisher=Companies House}} In October 2021, Sidemen Clothing collaborated with Ellesse, an Italian sportswear brand, and launched an AW21 collection of co-branded clothing.{{Cite web |last=TAYLOR |first=Nigel |date=29 October 2021 |title=Ellesse links with Sidemen for new collab |url=https://ww.fashionnetwork.com/news/Ellesse-links-with-sidemen-for-new-collab,1348563.html |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=FashionNetwork |language=en-WW}} On 15 July 2023, they opened their first physical store in the Bluewater Shopping Centre in Kent.{{cite web|last=Hill|first=Eloise|title=YouTube giant Sidemen launches first ever retail store|url=https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2023/07/sidemen-store-bluewater/|website=Retail Gazette|access-date=17 July 2023|date=14 July 2023}}{{cite web|last=Beevers|first=Angela|title=Sidemen chooses Bluewater for first Sidemen Clothing store|url=https://www.theretailbulletin.com/fashion/sidemen-chooses-bluewater-for-first-sideman-clothing-store-17-07-2023/|website=The Retail Bulletin|access-date=17 July 2023 |date=17 July 2023}}{{cite web|last=Honey|first=Sam|title=First look inside YouTube stars Sidemen's first ever clothes store ahead of Bluewater opening|url=https://www.kentlive.news/whats-on/shopping/youtube-sidemen-clothing-bluewater-opening-8600119|website=Kent Live|access-date=17 July 2023|date=14 July 2023}} On 4 October 2024, they opened their second physical store in Bull Ring, Birmingham.{{Cite web |last=Gutelle |first=Sam |date=2024-10-04 |title=The Sidemen are the new 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' and they have the merch deal to prove it |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2024/10/04/sidemen-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-tmnt-merch-clothing-apparel/ |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=Tubefilter |language=en-US}} The group also announced their partnership with Paramount to produce a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-themed Sidemen apparel line.

= Side+ =

In September 2021, the Sidemen launched a subscription service app known as Side+, where they would post behind-the-scenes content from their YouTube video recordings and other extra contents.{{Cite news |date=23 October 2021 |title=Who are the Sidemen? How KSI and friends amassed 123 million followers |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/who-are-the-sidemen-how-ksi-and-friends-amassed-123-million-followers-cdnbjjswd |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211023194702/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/who-are-the-sidemen-how-ksi-and-friends-amassed-123-million-followers-cdnbjjswd |archive-date=23 October 2021 |access-date=24 October 2021 |work=The Times}}{{Cite web |last=Glaze |first=Virginia |date=2021-09-08 |title=What is Side+? Cost and features of Sidemen's new subscription service |url=https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/what-is-side-cost-and-features-of-sidemens-new-subscription-service-1648950/ |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=Dexerto |language=en}} On 14 January 2022, they announced that the app is now available on Xbox.{{Cite web |last=Xbox |first=Pure |date=2022-01-14 |title=Side+, The Exclusive App Of The Sidemen, Is Now Available On Xbox |url=https://www.purexbox.com/news/2022/01/sideplus-the-exclusive-app-of-the-sidemen-is-now-available-on-xbox |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=Pure Xbox |language=en-GB}}

= Sides =

{{multiple image

| align = right

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| width = 200

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| image1 = Sides restaurant in Dalston.png

| image2 = Sides menu (cropped).png

| caption1 = Sides restaurant in Dalston, East London.

| caption2 = Example of the Sides menu: chicken burger, waffle fries, and wings with Tennessee sauce.

| caption_align = center

}}

In November 2021, the Sidemen partnered with Reef, the world's largest operator of virtual restaurants and delivery kitchens, to launch a restaurant chain known as Sides.{{Cite web |last=Lutrario |first=Joe |date=2021-11-25 |title=YouTube's the Sidemen launch virtual fried chicken brand |url=https://www.restaurantonline.co.uk/Article/2021/11/25/YouTube-s-the-Sidemen-launch-another-virtual-fried-chicken-brand |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=RestaurantOnline.co.uk |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Tabahriti |first=Sam |date=13 March 2022 |title=A fried chicken restaurant run by 7 YouTubers has opened its first branch after initially operating as a ghost kitchen. See inside. |url=https://www.businessinsider.com.au/sidemen-ksi-sides-fried-chicken-store-youtubers-2022-3 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220321213245/https://www.businessinsider.com.au/sidemen-ksi-sides-fried-chicken-store-youtubers-2022-3 |archive-date=21 March 2022 |access-date=21 March 2022 |website=Business Insider}} The restaurant is serving a menu of chicken and plant-based sandos, sliders, and salads that come in flavours including chipotle, classic buffalo, BBQ, Korean BBQ, teriyaki, garlic mayo, and Louisiana. Other dishes include mac and cheese bites, waffle fries, slaw, onion rings, and cheese poppers.{{Cite news |last= |date=2022-02-17 |title=YouTube stars to open first bricks and mortar site for Sides |url=https://www.restaurantonline.co.uk/Article/2022/02/17/youtube-stars-sidemen-ksi-w2s-miniminter-zerkaa-tbjzl-behzinga-vikkstar123-to-open-first-bricks-and-mortar-site-for-fried-chicken-brand-sides |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=RestaurantOnline.co.uk |language=en-GB}}

On 24 February 2022, the restaurant launched its first physical branch in Boxpark Wembley, attracting over three-hour queues on its debut day.{{Cite news |last= |date=2022-02-17 |title=YouTube stars to open first bricks and mortar site for Sides |url=https://www.restaurantonline.co.uk/Article/2022/02/17/youtube-stars-sidemen-ksi-w2s-miniminter-zerkaa-tbjzl-behzinga-vikkstar123-to-open-first-bricks-and-mortar-site-for-fried-chicken-brand-sides |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=RestaurantOnline.co.uk |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Ellis |first=David |date=2022-09-07 |title=The Sidemen talk fried chicken — and plans for world domination |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/going-out/restaurants/the-sidemen-sides-fried-chicken-boxpark-croydon-london-b1023745.html |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=Evening Standard |language=en}} As of September 2022, the restaurant had over 80 dark kitchens across the UK and 20 in the UAE. On 29 September 2022, the restaurant launched its second physical branch in Boxpark Croydon. In October 2022, the restaurant unveiled its new partnership with Farnham Town F.C., a semi-professional football club based in Farnham, Surrey, to become the football club’s front-shirt sponsor of the newly released 2022/23 away kit.{{Cite web |last=Sensi |first=Jasdip |date=2022-10-03 |title=YouTuber group Sidemen's restaurant chain partners with Farnham Town - Marketing Beat |url=https://www.marketing-beat.co.uk/2022/10/03/sidemen-farnham-town/ |access-date=2024-06-19 |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Gutelle |first=Sam |date=2022-10-05 |title=There's now a soccer club in England sponsored by the Sidemen |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2022/10/05/farnham-town-fc-sidemen-sides-jersey-sponsorship-england/ |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=Tubefilter |language=en-US}}

= XIX Vodka =

In 2022, the Sidemen founded and launched their own vodka brand known as XIX Vodka.

= Book =

On 18 October 2016, the group released a book titled Sidemen: The Book, published by Coronet Books, and embarked on a UK-wide promotional tour.{{Cite web |last=Cowdrey |first=Katherine |date=2 June 2016 |title='YouTube royalty' The Sidemen to Coronet |url=https://www.thebookseller.com/news/coronet-publish-team-youtube-royalty-sidemen-330708 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200104173327/https://www.thebookseller.com/news/coronet-publish-team-youtube-royalty-sidemen-330708 |archive-date=4 January 2020 |access-date=3 January 2020 |website=The Bookseller}}{{Cite news |last=Barr |first=Gordon |date=22 September 2016 |title=YouTube sensations The Sidemen come to Newcastle |work=Chronicle Live |url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/youtube-sensations-sidemen-heading-newcastle-11921405 |url-status=live |access-date=3 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200104173325/https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/youtube-sensations-sidemen-heading-newcastle-11921405 |archive-date=4 January 2020}} A number one best-seller in the UK, the book sold 26,436 copies within the first three days of its release.{{Cite web |last=Dillon |first=Poppy |date=26 October 2016 |title=The Sidemen's Debut Book Tops Charts |url=https://teneightymagazine.com/2016/10/26/the-sidemens-debut-book-hits-no-1-in-charts/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020061435/https://teneightymagazine.com/2016/10/26/the-sidemens-debut-book-hits-no-1-in-charts/ |archive-date=20 October 2019 |access-date=3 January 2020 |website=TenEighty}}{{Cite news |last=Flood |first=Alison |date=26 October 2016 |title=YouTube stars the Sidemen are frontrunners in race for Christmas books No 1 |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/oct/26/youtube-stars-the-sidemen-are-frontrunners-in-race-for-books-christmas-no-1 |url-status=live |access-date=3 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020061418/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/oct/26/youtube-stars-the-sidemen-are-frontrunners-in-race-for-books-christmas-no-1 |archive-date=20 October 2019 |issn=0261-3077}}

= Documentary and web series =

On 18 June 2018, the group released a web television series titled The Sidemen Show, available exclusively on YouTube Premium.{{Cite web |last=Clarke |first=Stewart |date=4 June 2018 |title=YouTube Orders 'The Sidemen Show' Original Premium Series |url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/youtube-the-sidemen-show-original-series-1202829109/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191125045007/https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/youtube-the-sidemen-show-original-series-1202829109/ |archive-date=25 November 2019 |access-date=3 January 2020 |website=Variety}} It comprises seven 30-minute episodes filmed around the world alongside a number of celebrity guests.{{Cite web |last=White |first=Peter |date=2 June 2018 |title='The Sidemen Show': YouTube Debuts First Trailer & Dates Premium Reality Challenge Format |url=https://deadline.com/2018/06/the-sidemen-show-youtube-debuts-first-trailer-dates-premium-reality-challenge-format-1202401935/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217081239/https://deadline.com/2018/06/the-sidemen-show-youtube-debuts-first-trailer-dates-premium-reality-challenge-format-1202401935/ |archive-date=17 December 2019 |access-date=3 January 2020 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}{{Cite web |date=4 June 2018 |title=YouTube commissions Blue Ant's Sidemen Show |url=https://realscreen.com/2018/06/04/youtube-commissions-blue-ants-sidemen-show/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107024614/https://realscreen.com/2018/06/04/youtube-commissions-blue-ants-sidemen-show/ |archive-date=7 January 2020 |access-date=7 January 2020 |website=RealScreen}}

On 14 February 2024, a documentary film about the Sidemen called The Sidemen Story was released on Netflix.{{cite web |last=Metin |first=Mert |date=2024-02-15 |title='The Sidemen Story' is a deep and chronological look at seven famous friends |url=https://dailycampus.com/2024/02/15/the-sidemen-story-is-a-deep-and-chronological-look-at-seven-famous-friends/ |access-date=2024-02-17 |website=The Daily Campus |df=dmy-all}} The film was directed by Luke Hyams, a former Head of Originals for YouTube EMEA.

In June 2024, the Sidemen created a reality competition series called Inside. The series features ten celebrity guests who compete in challenges to secure a prize fund totalled at £1 million, with everything they buy or do costing money from the prize fund. The series first aired on 2 June 2024 on their YouTube account, Sidemen, and last aired on 9 June 2024.{{Cite web |last=Youngs |first=Ian |date=3 June 2024 |title=Sidemen take on Love Island with £1m YouTube reality show Inside |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ceddjj3dgl8o |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Copson |first=Josie |date=2024-05-27 |title=YouTube gameshow with staggering £1,000,000 prize fund rivals traditional TV |url=https://metro.co.uk/2024/05/27/youtube-gameshow-staggering-1-000-000-prize-fund-rivals-traditional-tv-20917431/ |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=Metro |language=en}} In November 2024, a second series, as well as Inside USA, was announced, which would be shown on Netflix.{{Cite web |last=Delbyck |first=Cole |date=2024-11-20 |title=The Sidemen Are Getting Inside Netflix for Season 2 |url=https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/inside-season-2-release-date-news |access-date=2024-12-09 |website= Netflix |df=dmy-all}}

= Best Cereal =

In March 2024, the Sidemen and British oat producer Mornflake launched a cereal brand called Best Cereal. It debuted with two flavours, Choco Crunch and Caramel Gold.{{Cite web |last=Leonard-Bedwell |first=Niamh |date=2024-03-04 |title=The Sidemen partner with Mornflake to launch cereal brand |url=https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/news/the-sidemen-partner-with-mornflake-to-launch-cereal-brand/688912.article |access-date=2024-12-09 |website=TheGrocer |df=dmy-all}}

Charity football matches

= Wembley Cup =

In August 2015, all of the Sidemen members except Olatunji and Barn participated in the 2015 Wembley Cup football charity match, facing Spencer FC, with Minter captaining the Sidemen United team. The match ended with Spencer FC beating Sidemen United by five goals to two.{{Cite web |last=Association |first=The Football |title=It's Spencer FC v Sidemen United in EE's Wembley Cup |url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2015/jul/16/wembley-cup-spencer-fc-sidemen |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=TheFA |language=en}}

= Sidemen Charity Match =

File:Sidemen_Charity_Football_Match_2018.png]]

{{main|Sidemen Charity Match}}

The Sidemen Charity Match is a recurring football friendly match run by the Sidemen to raise money for various charitable causes. They have been held since 2016, barring a four-year hiatus between the third and fourth matches, while the sixth match is being held eighteen months after the fifth. In all matches so far, the group's seven members and various affiliated YouTubers competed as the Sidemen Football Club, while various other YouTubers competed as the YouTube Allstars. The first match, on 3 June 2016, was held at St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, raising over £110,000 for the Saints Foundation.{{Cite web |last=Castro |first=Danilo |date=25 August 2018 |title=KSI Net Worth: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know |url=https://heavy.com/money/2018/08/ksi-net-worth/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029212851/https://heavy.com/money/2018/08/ksi-net-worth/ |archive-date=29 October 2019 |access-date=29 October 2019 |website=heavy.com |publisher=Heavy Inc.}}{{Cite news |last=Rimell |first=William |date=4 June 2016 |title=Charity football match Sidemen FC v YouTube Allstars at St Mary's in Southampton raised more than £100,000 for the Saints foundation |work=dailyecho.co.uk |publisher=Southern Daily Echo |url=https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/14536795.charity-football-match-sidemen-fc-v-youtube-allstars-at-st-marys-in-southampton-raised-more-than-100000-for-the-saints-foundation/ |url-status=live |access-date=29 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020061443/https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/14536795.charity-football-match-sidemen-fc-v-youtube-allstars-at-st-marys-in-southampton-raised-more-than-100000-for-the-saints-foundation/ |archive-date=20 October 2019}}

Discography

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+ List of singles with selected chart positions and year released

! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;" | Title

! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year

! scope="col" colspan="6"| Peak chart positions

scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:90%;"| UK
{{Cite web |date=26 December 2019 |title=UK Singles Chart |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/56873/sidemen/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220192010/https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/56873/sidemen/ |archive-date=20 December 2019 |access-date=4 January 2020 |publisher=Official Charts Company}}

! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:90%;"| UK
R&B
{{Cite web |date=26 December 2019 |title=UK R&B Singles Chart |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/r-and-b-singles-chart/20191220/114 |publisher=Official Charts Company}}

! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:90%;"| UK
Ind.
Peaks of Sidemen's singles on the UK Independent Singles Chart:

  • {{Cite web |date=26 December 2019 |title=UK Independent Singles Chart (20 December 2019 – 26 December 2019) |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-singles-chart/20191220/130/ |access-date=9 December 2022 |publisher=Official Charts Company}}
  • {{Cite web |date=23 December 2022 |title=UK Independent Singles Chart (23 December 2022 – 29 December 2022) |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-singles-chart/20221223/130 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209192815/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-singles-chart/ |archive-date=9 December 2022 |access-date=24 December 2022 |publisher=Official Charts Company}}

! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:90%;"| IRE
{{Cite web |date=23 December 2022 |title=Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50 (23 December 2022 – 29 December 2022) |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/irish-singles-chart/20221223/ie7501/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230101202937/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/irish-singles-chart/20221223/ie7501/ |archive-date=1 January 2023 |access-date=23 December 2022 |publisher=Official Charts Company}}

! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:90%;"| NZ
Hot
Peaks on the NZ Hot Singles Chart:

  • "The Gift": {{Cite web |date=23 December 2019 |title=New Zealand Hot Singles Chart |url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/hot-singles/2019-12-20 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220235050/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/hotsingles%3Fchart%3D4794 |archive-date=20 December 2019 |access-date=4 January 2020 |publisher=Recorded Music NZ}}
  • "Christmas Drillings" and "This or That": {{Cite web |url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/hot-singles/2022-12-09 |title=New Zealand Hot Singles Chart |date=12 December 2022 |publisher=Recorded Music NZ |access-date=10 December 2022}}

! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:90%;"| SCO
{{Cite web |date=26 December 2019 |title=Scottish Singles Chart |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/20191220/41/ |publisher=Official Charts Company}}

scope="row" | "The Gift"{{Cite web |date=15 December 2019 |title=The Gift – Single by Sidemen on Apple Music |url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/the-gift-single/1491085960 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200112050317/https://music.apple.com/gb/album/the-gift-single/1491085960 |archive-date=12 January 2020 |access-date=12 January 2020 |publisher=Apple Music}}
{{small|(featuring S-X)}}

|2019

| 77 || 40 || 11 || — || 27 || 26

scope="row" | "This or That"

| rowspan="2" | 2022

| — || — || 23 || — || 14 || —

scope="row" | "Christmas Drillings"
{{small|(featuring Jme)}}

| 3 || — || 2 || 25 || 7 || —

colspan="14" style="font-size:90%" | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Publications

  • {{Cite book |last=The Sidemen |title=Sidemen: The Book |date=18 October 2016 |publisher=Coronet Books |isbn=978-1473648166}}

Awards and nominations

= Awards =

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
scope="col" | Award

! scope="col" | Year

! scope="col" | Category

! scope="col" | Nominee(s)

! scope="col" | Result

! scope="col" class="unsortable" |{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

scope="row" | British Book Awards

| 2017

| Non-Fiction: Lifestyle Book of the Year

| Sidemen: The Book

| {{nom}}

| style="text-align: center;" | {{Cite web |date=15 March 2017 |title=Hachette and Penguin Random House lead British Book Awards Books of the Year shortlists |url=https://www.thebookseller.com/news/hachette-and-penguin-random-house-lead-british-book-awards-books-year-511061 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114045021/https://www.thebookseller.com/news/hachette-and-penguin-random-house-lead-british-book-awards-books-year-511061 |archive-date=14 January 2020 |access-date=14 January 2020 |website=The Bookseller}}

scope="row" | Shorty Awards

| 2019

| Best YouTube Ensemble

| Sidemen

| {{nom}}

| style="text-align: center;" | {{Cite web |date=5 May 2019 |title=Michelle Obama, Noah Centineo, Marie Kondo, John Mulaney Win 2019 Shorty Awards |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2019-shorty-award-winners-list-full-1206922 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030160136/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2019-shorty-award-winners-list-full-1206922 |archive-date=30 October 2019 |access-date=30 October 2019 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}

= World Records =

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
style="background:#ccc; text-align:center;"

|+

! scope="col" | Publication

! scope="col" | Year

! scope="col" | World record

! scope="col" | Record holder

! scope="col" | {{Abbr|R. Status|Record Status}}

! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|References}}

Guinness World Records

| 2022

| Most viewers for a charity sports match live stream on YouTube

| Sidemen

| {{won|Record}}

| style="text-align:center;" |{{Cite web |last=Punt |first=Dominic |date=18 August 2023 |title=Jack Sucks At Life crashes Sidemen's London HQ to celebrate charity match record |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2023/8/jack-sucks-at-life-crashes-sidemens-london-hq-to-celebrate-charity-match-record-756766 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822171246/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2023/8/jack-sucks-at-life-crashes-sidemens-london-hq-to-celebrate-charity-match-record-756766 |archive-date=22 August 2023 |access-date=22 August 2023 |website=Guinness World Records}}

Notes

{{notelist|refs=

{{efn|name=StatsNote|Includes the Sidemen's five group channels and fifteen of their individual channels which host Sidemen content.}}

}}

References

{{reflist|refs=

{{Cite web |title=Sidemen's YouTube Stats |url=https://socialblade.com/youtube/channel/UCDogdKl7t7NHzQ95aEwkdMw |access-date=14 October 2022 |website=Social Blade}}

{{Cite web |title=MoreSidemen's YouTube Stats |url=https://socialblade.com/youtube/channel/UCh5mLn90vUaB1PbRRx_AiaA |access-date=14 October 2022 |website=Social Blade}}

{{Cite web |title=SidemenReacts's YouTube Stats |url=https://socialblade.com/youtube/channel/UCjRkTl_HP4zOh3UFaThgRZw |access-date=14 October 2022 |website=Social Blade}}

{{Cite web |title=SidemenShorts's YouTube Stats |url=https://socialblade.com/youtube/c/sidemenshorts |access-date=14 October 2022 |website=Social Blade}}

See:

  • {{Cite web |title=Sidemen's YouTube Stats |url=https://socialblade.com/youtube/channel/UCDogdKl7t7NHzQ95aEwkdMw |access-date=14 October 2022 |website=Social Blade}}
  • {{Cite web |title=MoreSidemen's YouTube Stats |url=https://socialblade.com/youtube/channel/UCh5mLn90vUaB1PbRRx_AiaA |access-date=14 October 2022 |website=Social Blade}}
  • {{Cite web |title=SidemenReacts's YouTube Stats |url=https://socialblade.com/youtube/channel/UCjRkTl_HP4zOh3UFaThgRZw |access-date=14 October 2022 |website=Social Blade}}
  • {{Cite web |title=SidemenShorts's YouTube Stats |url=https://socialblade.com/youtube/c/sidemenshorts |access-date=14 October 2022 |website=Social Blade}}
  • {{Cite web |url=https://socialblade.com/youtube/user/ksiolajidebt |title=KSI's YouTube Stats |website=Social Blade |access-date=14 October 2022}}
  • {{Cite web |url=https://socialblade.com/youtube/user/ksiolajidebthd |title=JJ Olatunji's YouTube Stats |website=Social Blade |access-date=14 October 2022}}
  • {{Cite web |url=https://socialblade.com/youtube/user/miniminter |title=Miniminter's YouTube Stats |website=Social Blade |access-date=14 October 2022}}
  • {{Cite web |url=https://socialblade.com/youtube/user/mm7games |title=MM7Games's YouTube Stats |website=Social Blade |access-date=14 October 2022}}
  • {{Cite web |url=https://socialblade.com/youtube/user/zerkaahd |title=Zerkaa's YouTube Stats |website=Social Blade |access-date=14 October 2022}}
  • {{Cite web |url=https://socialblade.com/youtube/user/zerkaaplays |title=ZerkaaPlays's YouTube Stats |website=Social Blade |access-date=14 October 2022}}
  • {{Cite web |url=https://socialblade.com/youtube/user/tbjzl |title=TBJZL's YouTube Stats |website=Social Blade |access-date=14 October 2022}}
  • {{Cite web |url=https://socialblade.com/youtube/user/editingaming |title=TBJZLPlays's YouTube Stats |website=Social Blade |access-date=14 October 2022}}
  • {{Cite web |url=https://socialblade.com/youtube/user/behzinga |title=Behzinga's YouTube Stats |website=Social Blade |access-date=14 October 2022}}
  • {{Cite web |url=https://socialblade.com/youtube/user/beh2inga |title=Beh2inga's YouTube Stats |website=Social Blade |access-date=14 October 2022}}
  • {{Cite web |url=https://socialblade.com/youtube/user/vikkstar123 |title=Vikkstar123's YouTube Stats |website=Social Blade |access-date=14 October 2022}}
  • {{Cite web |url=https://socialblade.com/youtube/user/vikkstarplays |title=VikkstarPlays's YouTube Stats |website=Social Blade |access-date=14 October 2022}}
  • {{Cite web |url=https://socialblade.com/youtube/user/vikkstar123hd |title=Vikkstar123HD's YouTube Stats |website=Social Blade |access-date=14 October 2022}}
  • {{Cite web |url=https://socialblade.com/youtube/user/wroetoshaw |title=W2S's YouTube Stats |website=Social Blade |access-date=14 October 2022}}
  • {{Cite web |url=https://socialblade.com/youtube/user/bluejumpergaming |title=W2SPlays's YouTube Stats |website=Social Blade |access-date=14 October 2022}}

}}

External links

{{Commons category}}

  • {{Official website}}

{{Portal bar|Biography|Internet|Video games|United Kingdom|England}}

{{Sidemen}}

{{KSI}}

{{Vikkstar123}}

Category:21st-century British philanthropists

Category:2013 establishments in England

Category:English YouTube groups

Category:British comedy YouTubers

Category:English-language YouTube channels

Category:British gaming YouTubers

Category:Let's Players

Category:Sports-related YouTube channels

Category:Surreal comedy

Category:Video game commentators

Category:Vlogs-related YouTube channels

Category:YouTube channels launched in 2016

Category:British YouTube vloggers

Category:World record holders