Zerkaa
Zerkaa | ||||||||||
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![]() Josh in 2018 | ||||||||||
Born | Joshua Charlie Joseph Bradley[1] 4 September 1992[2] | |||||||||
Other names |
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Education | Ravensbourne University | |||||||||
Occupations | ||||||||||
Spouse |
Freya Nightingale (m. 2025) | |||||||||
YouTube information | ||||||||||
Channel | ||||||||||
Years active | 2009–present | |||||||||
Genres | ||||||||||
Subscribers | 8.4 million (combined)[4][5] | |||||||||
Views | 2.2 billion (combined)[4][5] | |||||||||
Associated acts | Sidemen | |||||||||
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Twitch information | ||||||||||
Channel | ||||||||||
Years active | 2010–present | |||||||||
Genre | ||||||||||
Games | ||||||||||
Followers | 1.4 million[6] | |||||||||
Last updated: 19 October 2023 | ||||||||||
Signature | ||||||||||
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Joshua Charlie Joseph "Josh" Bradley (born 4 September 1992)[7], better known by his online alias Zerkaa and his stage name Josh Zerker, is an English YouTuber, streamer, influencer, and Internet personality. He is a member of the British YouTube group, the Sidemen. In 2019, he was listed as the ninth most influential online creator in the United Kingdom by The Sunday Times[1]. In 2022, he was the most watched Twitch streamer in the United Kingdom, with 17.68 million hours watched[8].
Early life and education
[edit]Josh was born on 4 September 1992 in Bermondsey, London. He attended Bexley Grammar School, where he met future fellow Sidemen member Tobi Brown. He claims to have had an interest in architecture in his early years, and used to love designing houses.[3] As a child, Josh took dance lessons and competed in street dance performances.[9] His parents went through a divorce growing up, which he states led to him playing games. He claims to have played Call of Duty in his room for 8 hours, because he wanted an escape from the stress of his parents' divorce.[10][11] In the Netflix documentary, The Sidemen Story, Josh had mentioned that he suffered from anxiety.[12]
He later attended Ravensbourne University and earned an upper second honours degree in digital film production.[3] Before getting into content creation, Josh tried working in a bank in London with his father, who was a banker himself, but left soon after. He also had a week-long stint at the Sky Sports studio.[3]
Career
[edit]In 2009, Josh created his first YouTube channel, Zerkaa[13], to which he primarily uploaded video game content from games like Call of Duty and FIFA.[14] He has subsequently launched five more solo Youtube channels — namely ZerkaaPlays, ZerkaaReacts, ZerkaaLive, ZerkaaActuallyPlays, ZerkaaGuesses, and ZerkaaCards.
Sidemen
[edit]In October 2013, Josh co-founded and became a member of the British YouTuber group, the Sidemen.[15] He is the eldest amongst the seven members of the Sidemen.[16] He lived with three other members of the group — Vikkstar, KSI, and Miniminter — from 2014 until 2018, creating content regularly, after which he moved into an apartment with his girlfriend.[17][18] The Sidemen publishes content around a variety of themes including challenges, sketches and video game commentaries.[17]
In 2018, Josh co-starred alongside the rest of the Sidemen in the YouTube Premium series The Sidemen Show.[19] In 2019, Josh was listed as the ninth most influential online creator in the United Kingdom by The Sunday Times.[1] In a 2021 article discussing gambling issues surrounding the FIFA game series, Josh was cited by The Sunday Times as an example of a YouTuber sponsored by EA to make pack-opening videos.[14]
Twitch Streaming
[edit]Josh started streaming on Twitch in 2010. He is also a Twitch partner.[20] In 2022, he was the most watched Twitch streamer in the United Kingdom, with 17.68 million hours watched.[8] He was also cited as a streamer featuring walkthroughs of the 2023 video game Hogwarts Legacy by Guinness World Records.[21] He was nominated for Best Role-play Streamer at the 2022 Streamer Awards.[22]
Other ventures
[edit]Sidemen ventures
[edit]Josh and the Sidemen have founded multiple businesses throughout their online careers. In 2014, the group launched a clothing brand under the Sidemen Clothing banner.[23] In November 2021, they founded a restaurant chain Sides in collaboration with Reef.[24] In October 2022, they launched their own vodka brand, XIX Vodka.[17] In March 2024, they launched a breakfast cereal brand, Best Cereal, in collaboration with Mornflake.[25] In May 2025, they launched their own venture capital firm, Upside VC.[26] Josh was a Director for the firm but has formally resigned from the position. [27]
Solo ventures
[edit]In 2017, Josh launched his own clothing line, ZRK London, selling streetwear apparels like T-shirts, hoodies, and caps.[1][28] In 2023, the clothing line was renamed to Internet Made.[29]
Personal life
[edit]He has been in a relationship with Freya Nightingale since 2010.[1][17] They were engaged in January 2024, [30] and got married on 6 September 2025 in France.[31][32]
Josh is a supporter of Millwall F.C. and claims to have a season ticket since he was six years old.[1][3]
Filmography
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2018 | KSI: Can't Lose | Himself | Documentary | [33] |
2022 | Talk to Me | Uncredited; archival footage | [34] | |
2023 | KSI: In Real Life | Documentary | [35] | |
The Spy Who Loved Eggnog | Timmy / Undercover Agent / Adolf's Father / Himself | Short Film | [36] | |
2024 | The Sidemen Story | Himself | Documentary | [37] |
Year | Title | Role | Network | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | The Sidemen Experience | Himself | Comedy Central | Main role; 5 episodes | [38] |
2017 | YouTube Rewind | YouTube | Episode: "The Shape of 2017" | [39] | |
2018 | The Sidemen Show | YouTube Premium | Main role; 7 episodes | [19] | |
Formula E Voltage | YouTube | Guest; Episode "2018 Ad Diriyah ePrix" | [40] | ||
2020 | How To Be Behzinga | Guest; 3 episodes | [41] | ||
2024 | The Chase: Sidemen Edition | Special Spin-Off Episode | [42] |
Year | Title | Role | Network | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024-present | Inside | Host | YouTube, Side+[A], Netflix | Reality show created by the Sidemen | [43] |
2025-present | Inside: USA | Netflix | American reality show created by the Sidemen | [44] |
Year | Title | Artist(s) | Role | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2022 | "Don't Lie" | A1 x J1 feat. Nemzzz | Himself | [45] |
2025 | "365" | Talia Mar | [46] | |
"Chemical" | Vikkstar, Adalaide Adams | [47] |
Discography
[edit]Singles
[edit]As Lead Artist
[edit]Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
---|---|---|---|
UK | |||
"Told You" (as Tommy T with Big Toe)[B] |
2022 | — | Non-album single |
"Here To Stay" (as Tommy T with SparkyKNE)[B] |
— |
Charted songs
[edit]Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UK [48] |
UK R&B [49] |
UK Ind. [50] |
NZ Hot [51] |
SCO [52] |
IRE[53] | ||||
"The Gift"[54] (as part of Sidemen featuring S-X) |
2019 | 77 | 40 | 11 | 27 | 26 | — | Non-album singles | |
"This or That" (as part of Sidemen) |
2023 | — | — | 23 | 14 | — | — | ||
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Guest appearances
[edit]Title | Year | Other artist(s) | Album |
---|---|---|---|
"The Gift"[C] | 2019 | Sidemen, S-X | Non-album single |
"Tommy T"[B] | 2021 | Wiked | Golden Boy |
"This or That"[C] | 2023 | Sidemen | Non-album single |
"How Many Times"[B] | 2024 | Eli Porter, Wiked, SparkKNE | The Vault |
"Jump Out Gang - Remix"[B] | Eli Porter, Pixel Money |
Music videos
[edit]Title | Year | Director(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
As lead artist | |||
"Told You" (with Big Toe) |
2022 | Unknown | [55] |
"Here To Stay" (with SparkyKNE) |
[56] | ||
As featured artist | |||
"The Gift" (as part of Sidemen featuring S-X) |
2019 | Konstantin | [57] |
"Tommy T" (Wiked featuring Tommy T) |
2021 | Unknown | [58] |
"This or That" (as part of Sidemen) |
2022 | Himself Miniminter Behzinga W2S |
[59] |
"How Many Times" (Eli Porter featuring Tommy T, SparkyKNE and Wiked) |
2024 | Unknown | [60] |
"Jump Out Gang - Remix" (Eli Porter featuring Tommy T and Pixel Money) |
2025 | [61] |
Bibliography
[edit]Year | Title | Publisher | ISBN identifier | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2016 | Sidemen: The Book | Coronet Books | ISBN 978-1473648166 | [62] |
Awards and nominations
[edit]Year | Award | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2017 | British Book Awards | Non-Fiction: Lifestyle Book of the Year | "Sidemen: The Book" (shared with the Sidemen) | Nominated | [63] |
2019 | Shorty Awards | Best YouTube Ensemble | Himself (shared with the Sidemen) | Nominated | [64] |
2022 | The Streamer Awards | Best Role-Play Streamer | Himself | Nominated | [22] |
World Records
[edit]Publication | Year | World record | Record holder | R. Status | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Guinness World Records | 2022 | Most viewers for a charity sports match live stream on YouTube | Sidemen | Record | [65] |
Listicles
[edit]Publisher | Year | Listicle | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
The Sunday Times | 2019 | UK’s Top 100 Influencer | 9th | [1] |
Notes
[edit]- ^ Series 1 was shown on the Sidemen and Moresidemen YouTube channels with extras and unseen moments being shown on Side+. Series 2 onwards will be exclusively on Netflix with companion shows being shown on Side+
- ^ a b c d e Credited as Tommy T. Song created for GTA RP, but available on steaming platforms
- ^ a b As part of Sidemen
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h "The Sunday Times Influencer List 2019: meet the UK's top 100". The Sunday Times. 8 September 2019. Archived from the original on 24 February 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
- ^ @ZerkaaHD (4 September 2015). "Happy 23rd Birthday to myself. Thank you everyone for your birthday wishes!" (Tweet). Retrieved 26 June 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ a b c d e The Sidemen (18 October 2016). Sidemen: The Book. Coronet Books. pp. 11–13. ISBN 978-1473648166. Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
- ^ a b See:
- "Zerkaa's YouTube Stats". Social Blade. Archived from the original on 14 October 2022. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
- "ZerkaaPlays's YouTube Stats". Social Blade. Archived from the original on 14 October 2022. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
- "ZerkaaClips's YouTube Stats". Social Blade. Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
- "ZerkaaShorts's YouTube Stats". Social Blade. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
- ^ a b "About Zerkaa". YouTube.
- ^ "Zerkaa's Twitch Stats". Social Blade. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
- ^ "Joshua Charlie Joseph BRADLEY Personal Appointments". Companies House. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
- ^ a b Mcneil, Daniel (30 December 2022). "Most watched Twitch streamers in 2022 from the United Kingdom revealed - including Sidemen founder Zerkaa". The Star. Archived from the original on 19 October 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
- ^ SIDEMEN SPEED DATING. Sidemen. 3 November 2019. Event occurs at 5:29. Archived from the original on 23 January 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2025 – via YouTube.
- ^ Freya Nightingale (16 February 2020). Asking YouTubers questions fans are too scared to ask W/ Simon, Talia & Josh. Retrieved 16 September 2025 – via YouTube.
- ^ Bradley, Joshua (23 December 2013). "x.com". Twitter. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
- ^ Monaghan, Becca (14 February 2024). "Five things we learned from Netflix's Sidemen documentary | indy100". www.indy100.com. Archived from the original on 22 February 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
- ^ "Zerkaa". YouTube. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
- ^ a b Das, Shanti (21 March 2021). "YouTube stars 'lure Fifa gamers into gambling'". The Sunday Times. Archived from the original on 18 October 2021. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ Fogarty, Paul (17 September 2019). "YouTube: Get to know all seven Sidemen members – Ethan, Tobi, Harry!". HITC. Archived from the original on 9 February 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
- ^ Shapur, Soujanya (10 September 2025). "When did Zerkaa and Freya get together? Relationship timeline explored as content creators get married". www.soapcentral.com. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Who are the Sidemen? How KSI and friends amassed 123 million followers". The Times. 23 October 2021. Archived from the original on 23 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
- ^ "I'm Moving Out Of The Sidemen House". YouTube. 2 December 2018. Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
- ^ a b White, Peter (2 June 2018). "'The Sidemen Show': YouTube Debuts First Trailer & Dates Premium Reality Challenge Format". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 20 November 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
- ^ "Zerkaa - Streamer Overview & Stats". TwitchTracker. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
- ^ Punt, Dominic (15 February 2023). "Hogwarts Legacy becomes most viewed game ever on Twitch". Guinness World Records. Archived from the original on 19 October 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
- ^ a b Polhamus, Blaine (20 February 2023). "All 2023 Streamer Awards nominees". Dot Esports. Gamurs. Archived from the original on 21 February 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
- ^ Andrews, Farah (11 September 2019). "Insomnia Dubai: YouTube stars Sidemen coming to gaming convention". The National. Archived from the original on 27 October 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
- ^ Tabahriti, Sam (13 March 2022). "A fried chicken restaurant run by 7 YouTubers has opened its first branch after initially operating as a ghost kitchen. See inside". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 21 March 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ Gutelle, Sam (21 March 2024). "The Sidemen have sold 100,000 boxes of cereal two weeks after launching their breakfast brand". Tubefilter. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
- ^ Chesnokova, Sofia (20 May 2025). "Sidemen's $25M Upside VC: Can this YouTube group disrupt the UK's VC diversity crisis? — TFN". Tech Funding News. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
- ^ "UPSIDE VC LIMITED people - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
- ^ "x.com". X (formerly Twitter). Archived from the original on 23 February 2025. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
- ^ "Internet Made | Frequently Asked Questions". internetmade.co.uk. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
- ^ Mirpuri, Viren (23 January 2024). ""He's Done It!": Lando Norris, KSI, and Millions Celebrate as Sidemen Fame Josh Zerker Finally Gets Engaged to GF Freya". EssentiallySports. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
- ^ "🤍 06.09.25 🤍". Instagram. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ^ Dass, Aastha (10 September 2025). ""The most perfect day": Fans congratulate content creators Zerkaa and Freya on tying the knot following engagement in January". www.soapcentral.com. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
- ^ Hale, James (10 August 2018). "KSI Releases Documentary 'Can't Lose' Ahead Of Logan Paul Boxing Match Up". Tubefilter. Archived from the original on 22 April 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
- ^ "Talk to Me Summary, Latest News, Trailer, Cast, Where to Watch and More". Screen Rant. 23 March 2023. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
- ^ "KSI: In Real Life to Launch Exclusively on Prime Video on 26th January". Amazon MGM Studios. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
- ^ "THE WORLD'S WORST CHRISTMAS MOVIE: THE SPY WHO LOVED EGGNOG". 24 December 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ Shah, Furvah (2 February 2024). "Sidemen's Netflix documentary: Release date, trailer, cast and more". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
- ^ "Who Are The Sidemen? – The Sidemen Experience". ComedyCentral.co.uk. October 2014. Archived from the original on 19 January 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
- ^ "YouTube Rewind: The Shape of 2017". 6 December 2017. Retrieved 4 April 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ "KSI & Zerkaa | Formula E Voltage Global | 2018 Saudi Ad Diriyah ePrix". YouTube. 15 December 2018. Archived from the original on 19 February 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
- ^ "How To Be Behzinga". YouTube. October 2020. Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ "ITV's The Chase to face major format shake-up for epic special episode". EXPRESS.co.uk. 10 February 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
- ^ Copson, Josie (27 May 2024). "YouTube gameshow with staggering £1,000,000 prize fund rivals traditional TV". Metro. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ Hudspeth, Christopher. "Inside: USA's Cast Will Vie for $1M, but First They Have to Pay for the Basics". Netflix. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ^ "A1 x J1 - Don't Lie (Official Video) ft. Nemzzz". 14 October 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Talia Mar - 365 (Official Video)". 24 January 2025. Retrieved 24 January 2025 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Vikkstar - Chemical (feat. Adalaide Adams) [Music Video]". 5 May 2025. Retrieved 7 May 2025 – via YouTube.
- ^ "UK Singles Chart". Official Charts Company. 26 December 2019. Archived from the original on 20 December 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
- ^ "UK R&B Singles Chart". Official Charts Company. 26 December 2019.
- ^ "UK Independent Singles Chart". Official Charts Company. 26 December 2019.
- ^ "New Zealand Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 23 December 2019. Archived from the original on 20 December 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
- ^ "Scottish Singles Chart". Official Charts Company. 26 December 2019.
- ^ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
- ^ "The Gift – Single by Sidemen". Apple Music. 15 December 2019. Archived from the original on 12 January 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
- ^ "BIG TOE - TOLD YOU (Official Video) Ft. Tommy T". 4 November 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2025 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Tommy T x Sparky Kane - Here To Stay (Official Music Video)". 20 December 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2025 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Sidemen - The Gift Ft. S-X (Official Music Video)". 15 December 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2025 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Wiked x Tommy T - Tommy T (Official Music Video)". 3 July 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2025 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Sidemen - This or That (Official Music Video)". 4 December 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2025 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Eli Porter ft. Tommy T, Wiked & Sparky Kane - How Many Times [Official Music Video]". 28 September 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2025 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Eli Porter ft. P Money & Tommy T - Jump Out Gang Remix [Official Music Video]". 1 January 2025. Retrieved 6 July 2025 – via YouTube.
- ^ "YouTube stars the Sidemen are frontrunners in race for Christmas books No 1". The Guardian. 26 October 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
- ^ "Hachette and Penguin Random House lead British Book Awards Books of the Year shortlists". The Bookseller. 15 March 2017. Archived from the original on 14 January 2020. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
- ^ "11th Annual Influencer Nominees". Shorty Awards. 28 January 2019. Archived from the original on 31 January 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
- ^ Punt, Dominic (18 August 2023). "Jack Sucks At Life crashes Sidemen's London HQ to celebrate charity match record". Guinness World Records. Archived from the original on 22 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.