KSI has issued a statement addressing controversy over his use of a racial slur.
In a video posted on Sunday (2 April) on the Sidemen YouTube channel, KSI used a slur directed towards people from Pakistan or of Pakistani descent, and he has now issued an apology. Watch here:
The 29-year-old - real name Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji - said: "I want to address a recent incident in a video whereby my actions have affected many, many people, especially in the South Asian community.
Advert
"I want to take this opportunity to offer my deepest and most sincere apologies for my words and actions.
"In a recent video, I use a racial term that is offensive to so so many, especially in the South Asian community.
"There are no excuses for what I said and I recognise that I've caused a lot of hurt and disappointment to so many people that look up to me, and my ignorance has only reinforced the negative stereotypes that have existed for way too long in this country.
"I want to express my heartfelt regret for what I said. And I want you to know that I am generally [sic] ashamed and deeply sorry for any pain or suffering."
Advert
KSI used the word 'p***' in the Sidemen Sunday Countdown video, which was subsequently taken down following a backlash, with writer and content creator Umir among those criticising the comment.
"Been a KSI fan for the longest but so weird for him to say 'p***' in the latest Sidemen vid even if they bleeped it & it was 'in jest' for content," he said.
"Other racial slurs wouldn't be used as punchlines for YouTube gameshows. Just makes light of the word + certain people's experience."
Advert
Umir noted that the slur hadn't been edited out, indicating creators 'were fine with it', and added: "They didn't think the use of the word for cheap laughs was an issue. That minimises the topic's significance.
"Racial abuse toward Asians is taken less seriously, more of the time."
KSI acknowledged the controversy in a tweet on Monday (3 April), writing: "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.
Advert
"I'm not perfect, I'm gonna mess up in life, and lately I've been messing up a lot."
Jake Massey