Stuart Ashen

{{short description|British YouTuber and product reviewer (born 1976)}}

{{Redirect|Ashens||Ashen (disambiguation){{!}}Ashen}}

{{multiple issues|{{cleanup|reason=Heuristic restructuring with overview of video style, YouTube career, quotes and minor copyediting.|date=December 2018}}

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{{Infobox YouTube personality

| name = Stuart Ashen

| logo = Ashens logo.svg

| image = Stuart Ashen December 2019.jpg

| caption = Ashen in 2019

| birth_name = Stuart Clive Ashen

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1976|12|16|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Norwich, England

| education = Doctorate in psychology{{Cite tweet |number=236059437046042624 |user=Ashens |url=https://twitter.com/ashens/status/236059437046042624 |title=I failed all 3 A-Levels in 1995 but now I have a PhD, my very own stepladder and a total inability to experience positive human emotions. |access-date=29 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025055807/https://twitter.com/ashens/status/236059437046042624 |archive-date=25 October 2018 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Ashens/comments/70g7tm/is_ashens_a_doctor/dn3h7y5|title=r/Ashens - Is ashens a doctor?|date=2017|website=Reddit|language=en|access-date=2018-12-23}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/toq16/i_am_stuart_ashen_aka_ashens_youtube_comedian_ama/c4of7pu|title=r/IAmA - I am Stuart Ashen AKA "Ashens", YouTube comedian. AMA|website=reddit|date=15 May 2012 |language=en|access-date=2018-11-14}}

| alma_mater =

| occupation = {{hlist|YouTuber|critic|comedian|actor}}

| years_active = 2006–present

| website = {{URL|ashens.com}}

| channel_handle = Ashens

| pseudonym = {{Hlist|Dr. Ashen}}

| creator =

| genre = {{flatlist|

Comedy
technology
review

}}

| subscribers = 1.64 million (ashens)
319 thousand (extraashens)
100 thousand (Barshens)

| views = 563 million (ashens)
63 million (extraashens)
20 million (Barshens)

| network =

| associated_acts = {{flatlist|

Barry Lewis
Larry Bundy Jr.
NerdCubed

}}

| silver_button = Yes

| silver_year = 2010

| gold_button = Yes

| gold_year = 2015

| diamond_button = No

| diamond_year =

| ruby_button = No

| ruby_year =

| stats_update = 18 March 2025

}}

Stuart Clive Ashen (born 16 December 1976), better known online as Ashens ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|æ|ʃ|ə|n|z}} {{respell|ASH|ənz}}), is a British comedian, filmmaker, critic and YouTuber best known for reviewing counterfeit consumer goods. Since 2006, his YouTube videos have centered around examinations and reviews of various, often low-quality, products including toys, video games and food. His main channel has over 1.6 million subscribers.

Early life and education

Stuart Clive Ashen grew up on the Heartsease Estate, Norwich and attended Heartsease High School.{{cite web|last1=Briscoe|first1=Kim|title=YouTube success helped Stuart to realise his film-making dream|url=http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/youtube_success_helped_stuart_to_realise_his_film_making_dream_1_3844067|website=Norwich Evening News|publisher=Archant|access-date=12 November 2014|date=12 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112195837/http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/youtube_success_helped_stuart_to_realise_his_film_making_dream_1_3844067|archive-date=12 November 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} He previously worked for PC World and Norwich Union. His mother, Pauline, died of cancer when he was eight years old.{{cite web|last1=Ashen|first1=Stuart|title=Sorry to hear that man. My mother died of cancer when I was 8, one of the reasons I'm supporting the charity now.|url=https://twitter.com/ashens/status/413451391118901248?lang=en|website=Twitter|access-date=9 July 2018|date=18 December 2013}}

YouTube

{{Listen|type=music

|filename = Doctor Ashen - Dunc's Algomusic MkIIIb.ogg

|title = Doctor Ashen (Dunc's Algomusic MkIIIb)

|description = The intro music used by Ashen in most of his YouTube videos from June 6, 2008, onwards.

|pos = left

}}

Ashen has been reviewing food and various products in a distinctive style on YouTube since 2006. The items he reviews are often low quality and procured from various variety stores (notably UK's Poundland), or are poor knockoffs of well-received or well-known products, which he refers to as "{{Wikt-lang|en|tat}}". Featured products are typically personally sourced by Ashen in the UK or during holidays abroad or submitted by viewers. Almost all of Ashens videos are filmed in his home, showing only his living room couch and his hands, that are holding and pointing to the products he is reviewing, while his face is rarely seen by the viewer.

He frequently collaborated with his friend and fellow YouTube vlogger Barry Lewis, and in the mid-2010s, had a podcast and YouTube channel with him, both called Barshens.{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}}

{{As of|2025|1|31}}, Ashen has produced 944 videos on his primary YouTube channel, which has 1.64 million subscribers and over 563 million video views.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/user/ashens/about |title=Ashens about page |publisher=YouTube |date=23 February 2006 |access-date=11 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619060724/https://www.youtube.com/user/ashens/about |archive-date=19 June 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} His secondary channel, used mainly for DVD extra-style clips, along with an annual look with Daniel Hardcastle at a series of Advent calendars throughout December, has over 319,000 subscribers and over 63 million video views.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/user/extraashens/about |title=ExtraAshens about page |publisher=YouTube |date=15 September 2011 |access-date=1 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718224405/http://www.youtube.com/user/extraashens/about |archive-date=18 July 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} In addition to his own channels he has also produced videos for other YouTube channels, which included "The Multiverse", a geek-themed channel controlled by ChannelFlip.{{cite web |url=http://www.sfx.co.uk/2013/08/08/watch-here-youtube-geek-week-movie-premiere-online/ |title=YouTube Geek Week movie premiere online |work=SFX |date=8 August 2013 |access-date=20 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517121629/http://www.sfx.co.uk/2013/08/08/watch-here-youtube-geek-week-movie-premiere-online/ |archive-date=17 May 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}

In 2013, Ashen, along with Emma Blackery, Daniel Howell (danisnotonfire) and Phil Lester (AmazingPhil), starred as a contestant in a remake of the 1980s TV show Knightmare during the YouTube Geek Week event.{{cite web |last=Edwards |first=Luke |url=http://www.stuff.tv/youtube/10-amazing-youtube-geek-week-videos-you-cant-afford-miss/feature/ |title=10 amazing YouTube Geek Week videos you can't afford to miss |work=Stuff |date=9 August 2013 |access-date=20 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320202734/http://www.stuff.tv/youtube/10-amazing-youtube-geek-week-videos-you-cant-afford-miss/feature/ |archive-date=20 March 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}{{cite web |first=Stuart |last=Dredge |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/aug/05/knightmare-youtube-geek-week-doctor-who |title=Knightmare remake launches for YouTube Geek Week – watch it here |work=The Guardian |date=5 August 2013 |access-date=20 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322030531/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/aug/05/knightmare-youtube-geek-week-doctor-who |archive-date=22 March 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}

Television

Ashen made his first television appearance on a 2008 episode of Charlie Brooker's Screenwipe, where he played a cameo role as Mr. Noseybonk, a character from the 80s BBC children's show Jigsaw.{{cite web |author=Nick Akerman |url=http://www.thunderboltgames.com/feature/stuart-ashen-interview |title=Stuart Ashen Interview – feature at Thunderbolt |work=Thunderbolt |publisher=Thunderboltgames.com |date=31 May 2009 |access-date=30 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112235202/http://www.thunderboltgames.com/feature/stuart-ashen-interview |archive-date=12 November 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}

Ashen guest starred on The Armstrong & Miller Show for their "The Node" segment in October 2009.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p004vb47|title=BBC One - The Armstrong and Miller Show, Series 2, Episode 2, The Node: Gadgets (featuring Ashens)|website=BBC|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-01-08}} In early 2009, Ashen also released a very limited edition DVD anthology dubbed Ashenthology, containing a selection of his early videos as well as some unseen videos and animations, some of these videos were later released on his second YouTube Account; extraashens.{{Citation|title=Ashenthology 1 DVD|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ashenthology-1-DVD-Stuart-Ashen/dp/B001U2FBOW/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8|publisher=Dancing Yak Productions|access-date=2020-05-09}}

In 2010, Ashen created the series Ashen's Tech Dump for BBC Online Comedy.{{cite web |first=David |last=Thair |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/comedy/2010/09/ashens-returns-to-the-tech-dump.shtml |title=Comedy Blog: Ashens returns to the Tech Dump |publisher=BBC |date=17 September 2010 |access-date=20 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924154502/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/comedy/2010/09/ashens-returns-to-the-tech-dump.shtml |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} In 2011, Ashen co-starred alongside Karen Hayley in another BBC Online Comedy series Back Space.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00f7vdp |title=BBC – Back Space |date=16 May 2014 |access-date=15 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151028064122/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00f7vdp |archive-date=28 October 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} The next year, he starred as himself in The Proxy, a sci-fi webseries produced by ChannelFlip in partnership with Dell Alienware.{{cite web |url=http://www.televisual.com/news-detail/ChannelFlip-makes-10-part-sci-fi-series-with-IT-giant-Dell-_nid-1309.html |title=ChannelFlip makes 10-part sci-fi series with IT giant Dell |publisher=Televisual.com |date=6 March 2012 |access-date=21 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924114213/http://www.televisual.com/news-detail/ChannelFlip-makes-10-part-sci-fi-series-with-IT-giant-Dell-_nid-1309.html |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} The series took eight days to film, consists of 10 episodes and won a Marketing Week "Engage Award" in the "Gaming and Entertainment" section.{{cite web |url=http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/trends/marketing-week-engage-awards-the-magnificent-winners/4006657.article |title=Engage Awards: The magnificent winners |work=Marketing Week |date=22 May 2013 |access-date=20 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220103011/http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/trends/marketing-week-engage-awards-the-magnificent-winners/4006657.article |archive-date=20 December 2013 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}

Film

= ''Ashens and the Quest for the GameChild'' =

File:StuartAshens Gamechild.jpg

Ashen wrote and starred in Ashens and the Quest for the GameChild, a feature film released in August 2013, for YouTube's "Geek Week".{{cite magazine |last=Collins |first=Katie |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2013-07/25/knightmare-resurrected-for-geek-week |title=In depth: 90s gameshow Knightmare reborn for YouTube, may spawn new TV series (Wired UK) |magazine=Wired |date=25 July 2013 |access-date=20 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517122217/http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2013-07/25/knightmare-resurrected-for-geek-week |archive-date=17 May 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} The film also stars Warwick Davis and Robert Llewellyn, and was produced by the multi-channel network ChannelFlip, in association with The Multiverse. The film was partially paid for through crowdfunding website Indiegogo with contributions totalling {{USD|73,690}} at the end of the month, which comprised 41% of the {{USD|180000}} budget.{{cite web |url=http://www.whatsupwhatson.com/robert-llewellyn/ |title=Interview with Robert Llewellyn |work=WUWO Magazine |date=30 March 2012 |access-date=20 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607034721/http://www.whatsupwhatson.com/robert-llewellyn/ |archive-date=7 June 2013 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}{{cite web |url=http://www.sci-fi-london.com/news/cinema/2013/08/ashens-and-quest-gamechild |title=Ashens and the Quest for the GameChild |publisher=Sci-fi London |date=9 August 2013 |access-date=20 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517153328/http://www.sci-fi-london.com/news/cinema/2013/08/ashens-and-quest-gamechild |archive-date=17 May 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}{{cite web |url=https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/ashens-and-the-quest-for-the-game-child |title=Ashens and the Quest for the GameChild |work=Indiegogo |date=7 April 2013 |access-date=19 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517220739/https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/ashens-and-the-quest-for-the-game-child |archive-date=17 May 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} {{As of|June 2016}} it has been viewed over a million times on YouTube. A remastered and slightly extended edition of the movie was released on DVD and Blu-ray on 14 July 2014. On 2 July 2018, the full film was released on his YouTube channel.

= ''Ashens and the Polybius Heist'' =

In 2016, Ashen confirmed a sequel to Ashens and the Quest for the GameChild at a fan screening.{{cite web|url=http://teneightymagazine.com/2016/01/21/stuart-ashen-announces-gamechild-2-at-fan-screening/|title=Stuart Ashen Announces GameChild 2 at Fan Screening|access-date=30 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160519120344/http://teneightymagazine.com/2016/01/21/stuart-ashen-announces-gamechild-2-at-fan-screening/|archive-date=19 May 2016|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} In July 2018 Ashen created another Indiegogo campaign for the sequel titled, Ashens and the Polybius Heist. By the time funding was closed, the project earned over {{USD|195,000}} from over 4,000 backers{{citation needed|date=May 2021}}. On 9 May 2019, Ashen announced the principal photography was wrapped.{{Cite web|title=Ashens and the Polybius Heist|last=Ashen|first=Stuart|website=Indiegogo|language=en-US|url=https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/ashens-and-the-polybius-heist#/|access-date=July 9, 2018}} On 5 May 2020 it was announced on the official Twitter account for the film, that The Gaming Muso; a fellow YouTuber, and musician would be performing the opening theme tune for the film.{{Cite web|title=HUGE NEWS!! Been waiting to announce this for a while I am singing the opening theme tune for @PolybiusHeist I am extremely grateful for @ashens and @riyad_director for giving me this awesome opportunity! Can't wait for you all to hear it when you see the movie! #news #rt|url=https://twitter.com/gamingmuso/status/1257712519122223104|last=Muso|first=The Gaming|date=2020-05-05|website=@gamingmuso|language=en|access-date=2020-05-09}} On 9 October 2020 Ashen announced on Twitter that the film is available for preorder, and was released on 19 November 2020 on iTunes, YouTube Movies, Amazon and Vimeo.{{cite web |last1=Ashen |first1=Stuart |title=ENGAGE ANNOUNCE-O-TRON! Ashens and the Polybius Heist is coming out On Demand November 19th! Coming to iTunes, YouTube Movies, Amazon and Vimeo. You can pre-order today on Vimeo for a DRM free download. |url=https://twitter.com/ashens/status/1314627077900042240 |website=Twitter |access-date=12 October 2020}} The reveal trailer/teaser was uploaded on his YouTube channel on 14 October 2020.{{cite AV media |date=2020-10-14 |title=Ashens and the Polybius Heist: Teaser |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1K7b9q8cYs |access-date=2021-01-16 }}

= ''Turn Back'' =

In October 2023, Ashen announced that a currently ongoing Kickstarter campaign had been launched for a new Horror film about the demonic hound, Black Shuck, who features in English folklore.{{cite web |title=Stuart Ashen on X |url=https://twitter.com/ashens/status/1711788680182956203 |website=Twitter.com |access-date=2 November 2023}}

Published works

In November 2015, Ashen released the book Terrible Old Games You've Probably Never Heard Of, a collection of textual reviews of poor retro games, released through the Unbound crowdfunding platform.{{cite web |last=Perryman |first=Francesca |url=http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/arts-culture-news/youtuber-stuart-ashen-comes-waterstones-10520387 |title=YouTuber Stuart Ashen comes to Waterstones in Reading PLUS win a signed copy of his new book |work=Get Reading |date=2015-11-30 |access-date=2015-12-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151212132002/http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/arts-culture-news/youtuber-stuart-ashen-comes-waterstones-10520387 |archive-date=12 December 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}{{cite web |url=http://www.nottinghampost.com/YouTube-star-Stuart-Ashen-sign-copies-debut-book/story-28276489-detail/story.html |title=YouTube star Stuart Ashen to sign copies of debut book in Nottingham |work=Nottingham Post |date=2015-12-01 |access-date=2015-12-09 |first=Jemma |last=Page |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210015140/http://www.nottinghampost.com/YouTube-star-Stuart-Ashen-sign-copies-debut-book/story-28276489-detail/story.html |archive-date=10 December 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} The book reached its funding target in 12 hours.

On 24 February 2017 Ashen announced a sequel to Terrible Old Games You've Probably Never Heard Of, titled Attack of the Flickering Skeletons: More Terrible Old Games You've Probably Never Heard Of, again through Unbound, was released on 2 November 2017.{{cite book|last1=Ashen|first1=Stuart|title=Attack of the Flickering Skeletons More Terrible Old Games You've Probably Never Heard Of by Stuart Ashen|url=https://unbound.com/books/moreashens|website=Unbound|publisher=Unbound.com|access-date=25 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224181848/https://unbound.com/books/moreashens|archive-date=24 February 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all|isbn=9781783524150|year=2017}}

Ashen released the book Fifty-Thousand Shades of Grey on 23 September 2012; it parodies the popular erotic novel Fifty Shades of Grey.{{cite web |url=http://www.fiftyshadesofgreyparodies.com/fifty-thousand-shades-of-grey-by-sc-ashen |title=Fifty-Thousand Shades of Grey by SC Ashen |publisher=Fifty Shades of Grey Parodies |date=14 January 2013 |access-date=20 March 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140818071715/http://www.fiftyshadesofgreyparodies.com/fifty-thousand-shades-of-grey-by-sc-ashen |archive-date=18 August 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} The title is literal, as the book simply consists of the phrase "Shades of Grey" repeated 50,000 times.

Personal life

{{As of|2013}}, Ashen lives in his hometown of Norwich.{{cite web |last=Kate |first=Laura |url=http://www.mcmbuzz.com/2012/05/19/interview-with-stuart-ashens/ |title=Interview with Stuart Ashens |publisher=MCM Buzz |date=19 May 2012 |access-date=20 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912195505/http://www.mcmbuzz.com/2012/05/19/interview-with-stuart-ashens/ |archive-date=12 September 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}{{cite web |first=Ross |last=McGuinness |url=http://metro.co.uk/2013/08/02/youtube-geek-week-3908084/ |title=The Knightmare begins again as YouTube launches its own Geek Week |work=Metro |date=2 August 2013 |access-date=20 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321015449/http://metro.co.uk/2013/08/02/youtube-geek-week-3908084/ |archive-date=21 March 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} He has a doctorate in psychology,{{Cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Ashens/comments/70g7tm/is_ashens_a_doctor/dn3h7y5|title=r/Ashens - Is ashens a doctor?|date=2017|website=Reddit|language=en|access-date=2018-12-23}} but never worked in the field.{{Cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/toq16/i_am_stuart_ashen_aka_ashens_youtube_comedian_ama/c4of7pu|title=r/IAmA - I am Stuart Ashen AKA "Ashens", YouTube comedian. AMA|website=reddit|date=15 May 2012 |language=en|access-date=2019-06-25}}

Bibliography

class="wikitable"

!Year

!Title

!Notes

2012

|Fifty-Thousand Shades of Grey

|Parody of Fifty Shades of Grey

2015

|Terrible Old Games You've Probably Never Heard Of

2017

|Attack of the Flickering Skeletons: More Terrible Old Games You've Probably Never Heard Of

|sequel to Terrible Old Games You've Probably Never Heard Of

2019

|Fuck Yeah, Video Games: The Life & Extra Lives of a Professional Nerd by Daniel Hardcastle

|Contributor{{YouTube|3pawkMUQP|"Nerd³'s Book Update - With BIG News!"}}

2020

|Things I Learned from Mario's Butt by Laura Kate Dale

|Contributor{{cite book |last1=Dale |first1=Laura Kate |title=Things I Learned from Mario's Butt |date=February 2021 |publisher=Unbound |isbn=9781783528905}}