The Strategic Sideman
Joshua Bradley, widely known online as Zerkaa, is a British YouTuber, entertainer, and one of the founding members of the Sidemen, the UK’s most popular YouTube group. Born on September 4, 1992, in London, England, Joshua has built a reputation as the calm, witty, and strategic member of the group, balancing the Sidemen’s chaotic humor with intelligence and consistency.
Early Life and YouTube Beginnings
Joshua developed a passion for gaming early in life, particularly FIFA, which inspired him to start creating YouTube content around 2010–2011. His gaming videos, combined with humor and insightful commentary, quickly attracted a following. Known for his level-headed personality, he stood out among rising YouTubers for his thoughtful approach to gaming and content creation.
Rise with the Sidemen
In 2013, Joshua co-founded the Sidemen with KSI, Miniminter, TBJZL, Behzinga, W2S, and Vikkstar123. As the calm and strategic member of the group, Zerkaa became the glue that often kept the group balanced during chaotic challenges and videos. His humor, quick wit, and gaming expertise made him an essential part of the Sidemen’s success.
Career Highlights
Josh started uploading YouTube videos in 2008. He initially posted gameplay videos Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 but progressed into posting FIFA and other football-related videos. During this time, Josh edited some old videos made by KSI. Josh was supposed to release (but never did) a Call of Duty montage called Illuminate in 2012.
Up until 2014, Josh rarely showed his face on camera and was often hidden behind a mask. For a long time he called himself “Josh Zerker” and defended this alias as his real name up until 2015, when people learned that his real name was Josh Bradley.
Josh is “officially” the Ultimate Sideman having won The Sidemen Experience in 2014 – a contest in the very early years of the group.
Homegrown Podcast
Main article: Homegrown Podcast : Josh launched his own podcast series in Summer 2017, around the time of the Sidemen Beef.
ZRKLDN
Main article: ZRKLDN : Josh launched his own clothing line in April 2017.
Twitch
In April 2021, Josh joined the Nopixel GTA Roleplay server, where he roleplays a character named Tommy Tate, also known as just Tommy T and streamed many of these sessions. As a streamer, Josh has amassed over 1.4 million followers and 40 million views.
Sidemen and Charity Work
Zerkaa has been a key contributor to the Sidemen’s charitable initiatives, particularly the Sidemen Charity Football Matches. His participation helped raise significant funds for multiple causes while keeping fans entertained with his signature calm humor and strategic gameplay.
Personal Traits and Public Image
Joshua Bradley is admired for his level-headed, logical, and strategic personality, which contrasts with the more chaotic Sidemen members. Fans appreciate his humor, loyalty, and dedication to the group. He has earned respect not only as an entertainer but also as a dependable and thoughtful member of the team.
Zerkaa Today (2025)
As of 2025, Joshua Bradley (Zerkaa) is:
- A core Sidemen member, helping maintain the group’s success and cohesion.
- A respected figure in gaming, online entertainment, and strategic content creation.
- Influential in charity initiatives and Sidemen projects, admired for his consistency, intelligence, and humor.
From his early days producing FIFA content to becoming one of the most reliable and strategic members of the Sidemen, Joshua Bradley’s journey reflects dedication, balance, and a unique sense of humor, making him an integral figure in the world of YouTube entertainment.