DANTDM

Introduction to DanTDM

Daniel Robert Middleton, popularly known as DanTDM (short for "The Diamond Minecart"), is a British YouTuber, gamer, and author renowned for his engaging and family-friendly gaming content. Born on November 8, 1991, in Aldershot, Hampshire, England, DanTDM has become one of the most influential figures in the online gaming community, particularly noted for his Minecraft videos. As of May 2025, his main YouTube channel boasts over 29 million subscribers and more than 20 billion views .

Early Life and Education

Growing up as the elder of two siblings, Dan experienced a nomadic childhood due to his father's military career, attending multiple schools across the UK . He pursued higher education at the University of Northampton, where he studied music production . Before his YouTube career took off, Dan worked at Tesco, a British retail company. He has mentioned that his wife encouraged him to focus on YouTube full-time once his earnings matched his Tesco salary .

YouTube Career

Dan launched his YouTube channel, TheDiamondMinecart, in July 2012, initially focusing on Minecraft content. His charismatic commentary and creative storytelling quickly garnered a massive following. Over time, he expanded his content to include games like Roblox, Pokémon, and Five Nights at Freddy's . In December 2016, he rebranded his channel to DanTDM. His engaging series, such as "Custom Mod Adventures" and "Hardcore Survival," have been particularly popular among fans.

Achievements and Recognitions

DanTDM's contributions to the gaming community have earned him several accolades. In 2016, he was recognized by the Guinness World Records for "Most views for a dedicated Minecraft video channel" . He has also won multiple Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards in the UK Favourite Gamer category. In 2017, Forbes listed him as the highest-paid YouTube star, with earnings of approximately $16.5 million .

Authorship and Live Performances

Beyond YouTube, Dan has ventured into writing and live performances. In October 2016, he released his debut graphic novel, "Trayaurus and the Enchanted Crystal," which topped The New York Times Best Seller list for hardcover graphic books for eleven consecutive weeks . He has also embarked on several world tours, performing live shows that combine gaming and storytelling, including a notable performance at the Sydney Opera House, which was the second-fastest show to sell out in the venue's history .

Media Appearances

DanTDM has made appearances beyond his YouTube channel. He voiced the character Eboy in the UK version of Disney's "Ralph Breaks the Internet" (2018) and made a cameo in the film "Free Guy" (2021) . In 2017, he starred in the YouTube Red series "DanTDM Creates a Big Scene," which follows his adventures in maintaining a live show with his animated friends .

Personal Life

Dan married his longtime girlfriend, Jemma (also known as JemPlaysMC), in March 2013. The couple has two sons: Asher, born on January 5, 2020, and Miles, born on November 22, 2022 . They have been open about their decision to keep their children's faces private online. Dan has also shared his struggles with mental health, particularly during the isolation of the COVID-19 lockdowns, emphasizing the importance of discussing such issues openly .

Recent Endeavors

In January 2025, DanTDM joined Classic FM as a regular presenter, hosting a video game music-focused series titled "Next Level," which featured soundtracks from games like Minecraft, The Legend of Zelda, and Final Fantasy . This venture showcased his passion for music and gaming, bridging the gap between classical music and video game soundtracks.

DanTDM's journey from a shy schoolboy to an international YouTube sensation exemplifies the power of creativity, perseverance, and authenticity in the digital age.