YouTube sensations The Sidemen are set to open their first restaurant in Essex this week as they expand their Sides fried chicken brand..

The YouTube collective consisting of Olajide ‘JJ’ Olatunji famously known as KSI, Harry Lewis, Simon Minter, Vik Barn, Josh Bradley, Ethan Payne and Tobi Brown, have amassed a community of more than 130 million subscribers in total.

The group first launched the Sides brand for delivery only in late 2021, but has since expanded into food courts.

Now the fried chicken brand is coming to Lakeside Shopping Centre in response to the "overwhelming demand and popularity" of the restaurants across the UK.

The mouth-watering menu will feature Sides' signature tenders, wings, burgers and a range of unique side dishes, alongside some surprise new menu additions including the Nashville-style spicy chicken range.

The restaurant - which will be the Sidemen's fifth across the country - promises stylish décor, comfortable seating and "attentive" service, with the aim to make its mark as the hottest new dining spot in the West Thurrock shopping centre.

Sides will be coming to Lakeside from Thursday, April 11.

The store opening keeps the team on track with the the aim to open more than 200 stores across the UK in the next 10 years.

The Sidemen were due to surprise visitors on the opening day of their Merry Hill shopping centre restaurant in November, but Dudley Council had asked them to cancel after as many as 10,000 people were expected to turn up.