Ethan Leigh Payne (born 20 June 1995), better known as Behzinga, is an English YouTuber, streamer, and Internet personality. He produces videos on gaming, football, comedy, and fitness, and is a co-founder and member of the British YouTube group Sidemen. In 2019, Payne was listed as the 31st most influential online creator in the United Kingdom by The Sunday Times.[5] As of September 2021[update], his main YouTube channel has over 4 million subscribers and 500 million video views.[3] He is the co-owner of XIX Vodka, Sidemen Clothing, restaurant chain Sides and cereal brand Best Breakfasts.
Early life and education
Payne was born on 20 June 1995 in London and was raised almost entirely by his mother Ruth, who had cancer during his childhood. His biological father left before he was born and his stepfather, whom he had met when he was six months old and believed was his actual father, left when he was thirteen, due to drug addiction and debt.[1][6] Payne attended Marshalls Park School,[7] and then studied video games development at South Essex College.[5]
Career
Payne registered the "Behzinga" YouTube channel on 24 February 2012 while he was still in school.[3][8] He explained that the name comes from one of his favourite television series The Big Bang Theory in which Sheldon Cooper often uses the catchphrase "Bazinga!"; Payne altered the spelling.[1] His early content primarily featured video game commentaries of the Call of Duty and FIFA video game series.[8] Over time, his style of content diversified to include football, comedy, and fitness videos.[5][9][10]
On 19 October 2013, Payne and four other British YouTubers formed the entertainment collective Ultimate Sidemen, later shortened to simply Sidemen. Since 2014, the group has consisted of seven British YouTubers: Vikram Barn (Vikkstar123), Joshua Bradley (Zerkaa), Tobi Brown (TBJZL), Harry Lewis (W2S), Simon Minter (Miniminter), JJ Olatunji (KSI), and Payne.[11] The group produces online videos, most often consisting of challenges, sketches and video-game commentary, as well as selling exclusive Sidemen merchandise.[12][13]
He has become an advocate for mental health and has talked about the importance of sharing feelings and breaking down the stigma surrounding mental illness in men.[19][20]
Personal life
Payne and his girlfriend, Faith Louisa Kelly, have a child together, born in September 2022.[21]Later on April 3, 2024, the couple announced via Instagram that they are engaged.[22]
