TotalBiscuit dies aged 33: YouTuber and gaming critic praised as 'inspiration' by fans following death from cancer
Popular YouTuber John Bain, who went by the online name TotalBiscuit, has died at the age of 33.
The British computer gaming expert and critic died on Thursday.
The commentator, who had more than two million subscribers, had announced earlier in May that he was retiring from his online work due to his ill-health.
He had been diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2014 and, a year later, informed fans that it was terminal.
Late on Thursday night, his wife, Genna Bain, announced his death in an emotional post on Twitter.
Rest in Peace my Dearest Love
John @Totalbiscuit Bain
July 8, 1984 - May 24, 2018 pic.twitter.com/hg9ytHsItJ— Genna Bain (@GennaBain) May 24, 2018
Please forgive my lack of response to every message at this time. I'm more overwhelmed with grief than I could possibly express. Friends/family, please know that I will notify you all of any memorial service planned for John.
— Genna Bain (@GennaBain) May 25, 2018
“Rest in Peace my Dearest Love,” she wrote, alongside a moving poem about death.
She later tweeted again saying she was “more overwhelmed with grief than I could possibly express”.
Earlier in the week she had spoken about the couple trying to spend as much time with each other in his final days and said she had been taking Twitter dictations on his behalf as he recovered from surgery.
Never thought I’d be taking twitter dictation for @Totalbiscuit. Here’s hoping I don’t make his tweets sound too reasonable. ❤️
— Genna Bain (@GennaBain) May 22, 2018
Dedicated fans of Mr Bain’s work flooded the Twitter post with tributes, expressing their sadness at his death.
“Thanks is not enough to express all the laughs and happy memories this man has given me over the years. Truly one of the greats and will be sorely missed,” one follower wrote.
Others posted that he was “one of the people who inspired me to start YouTubing” and another added: “Just wanted to share how much of an Inspiration he was to me and how I approached my work.
Just wanted to share how much of an Inspiration he was to me and how I approached my work. I still and will always miss waking up and checking the latest wtf is of any game. Love to your family.
— Mike (@PreachGaming) May 25, 2018
rest in peace man you were a good person, your legacy will still live forever pic.twitter.com/5cXCs4g7yi
— デルン (@DelnSpeedrun) May 24, 2018
— Blaire Switch Project (@De_Rezzie) May 24, 2018
To all family and friends of John I wish you all the strenght. Thank you TotalBiscuit, you were the best youtuber in my opinion youtube could ever have or wil ever have. You have helped me and so many others with your videos. Thank you, and may you r.i.p. after so much hard work
— Gillymansan (@GillyManSan) May 25, 2018
“I still and will always miss waking up and checking the latest wtf is of any game. Love to your family.”
Mr Bain became an internet sensation after starting to post reviews of indie games when he was laid off from his job in a financial advisory company.
He went on to become a game curator and launch his own podcast, winning numerous awards for his work.
The critic, who developed a ‘love him or hate him’ reputation, won a 2012 Battle Royale and donated his winnings to charity.