DanTDM explained

DanTDM
Birth Name:Daniel Robert Middleton
Birth Date:1991 11, df=yes
Birth Place:Aldershot, Hampshire, England
Children:2
Other Names:TheDiamondMinecart
Education:University of Northampton (BA)
Youtube Id:UCS5Oz6CHmeoF7vSad0qqXfw
Youtube Display Name:DanTDM
Youtube Years Active:2010–present
Youtube Genre:Gaming
Stats Update:22 January 2026
Signature:DanTDM sig.svg

Daniel Robert Middleton (born 8 November 1991), better known as DanTDM (formerly TheDiamondMinecart), is an English YouTuber, gamer, and author. He is primarily known for his Let's Play videos, particularly those featuring Minecraft, Roblox, Pokémon and Five Nights at Freddy's. Middleton's YouTube channel, which he started in 2012, has amassed over 29 million subscribers and 20 billion views as of 2025, making him one of the most popular content creators on the platform.[1] [2] [3] [4]

Middleton began his YouTube career with Minecraft content, later expanding to other games and vlog-style videos. He has published a graphic novel, voiced a character in the UK version of the film Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018), and embarked on several world tours featuring live shows. In 2016, he was listed in the Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition for "Most views for a dedicated Minecraft video channel."

Beyond his online presence, Middleton has been involved in various charitable initiatives and has won several awards, including multiple Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards in the UK Favourite Gamer category. In 2017, Middleton topped the Forbes list of Highest-Paid YouTube Stars, earning (about $16.5 million) in one year.

Personal life

Daniel Robert Middleton[5] was born on 8 November 1991 in Aldershot, England, as the elder of two siblings.[6] His parents divorced when he was a child. He attended the University of Northampton where he studied music production.[7] [8] Prior to his career as a YouTuber and author, he worked at Tesco, telling the BBC in 2017 "When I earned enough money off YouTube to match it [my wage at Tesco] my wife persuaded me to do it."[9]

Middleton married his girlfriend, Jemma, in March 2013.[10] They have two sons.[11] [12] [13] He has openly discussed his struggles with mental health after experiencing severe depression, caused to the isolation of the COVID-19 lockdowns.

Career

In 2012, Middleton first created TheDiamondMinecart, a gaming channel.[14] In August 2014, Middleton signed with the multi-channel network Maker Studios under its Polaris label.[15] He decided to change his channel's name to TheDiamondMinecart // DanTDM later on, and on 12 December 2016, to DanTDM.[16] He currently produces videos out of his home studio in Wellingborough. Middleton's content is largely targeted at children, though many teens and adults watch it as well.[17]

As his original fanbase that propelled his career has grown up, Middleton has scaled back his video production schedule and focused more on creating graphic novels, hosting live shows, and DanTDM merchandise. He released a graphic novel titled Trayaurus and the Enchanted Crystal on 6 October 2016,[18] [19] which remained at the number one spot on The New York Times Best Seller list for hardcover graphic books for eleven weeks.[20] He was a featured guest at the Cheltenham Literature Festival and went on a book tour that included parts of the UK and a visit to New York City.[21] [22] [23] He then embarked on a tour through the United States and Australia in 2017.[24] [25] His live show at the Sydney Opera House was the second fastest to sell out in the venue's history. While acknowledging that he might not be a household name "yet", he was noted by the Tampa Bay Times as being "one of YouTube's brightest stars and biggest successes."[26]

In 2017, he starred in a web series called DanTDM Creates a Big Scene starring himself and featuring other social media entertainers and actors.[27] [28] The series premiered on 7 April 2017 exclusively for YouTube Red, YouTube's subscription service (now called YouTube Premium).[29] The show "follows DanTDM and his group of animated friends as they battle to keep their live show on the road".[30] That year, TODAY praised his "infectious laugh and an unmistakable British accent" and his personal growth from a "shy, low-profile YouTuber to the master of a creative empire."[31]

In 2019, Middleton was ranked 41 in UK's Top 100 Influencer List by The Sunday Times,[32] which also estimated Middleton's net worth to be £25 million.[33]

In January 2025, Middleton joined Classic FM as a regular presenter. Currently, he hosts the video game music-focused series Next Level, Music featured includes the soundtracks to Minecraft, The Legend of Zelda, Final Fantasy, and The Elder Scrolls.[34]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2018Ralph Breaks the InterneteBoyVoice role; UK theatrical version[35]
DanTDM Presents: The ContestHimselfInteractive cinema event[36]
2021Free GuyCameo[37]
2025A Minecraft MovieAuction attendee[38]

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2016–2017Skylanders AcademyCyVoice role; 2 episodes[39]
2017DanTDM Creates a Big SceneHimselfYouTube Original mini-series
6 episodes
[40]
YouTube RewindOnly in 2017
2025Black MirrorCameo; Episode: "USS Callister: Into Infinity"[41]

Video games

Awards and nominations

Publications

Notes and References

  1. News: 2023-09-23 . DanTDM: How YouTube star went from shy schoolboy to internet sensation . 2024-08-24 . en-GB. BBC News. Razzall. Katie. Saunders. Emma.
  2. Web site: Top 100 YouTubers in United Kingdom Filtered by Subscribers . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160330110614/http://socialblade.com/youtube/top/country/gb/mostsubscribed . 30 March 2016 . 28 March 2016 . socialblade.com.
  3. News: Dredge . Stuart . 1 September 2015 . The Diamond Minecart becomes most popular YouTube channel . . 11 February 2016.
  4. Web site: DanTDM . 2024-09-21 . YouTube . en.
  5. News: 2021-06-30 . YouTube star comes face-to-face with his waxwork at Blackpool's Madame Tussauds . 2022-10-05 . . en.
  6. Middleton . Daniel . DanTDM . 10 December 2013 . Draw My Life – TheDiamondMinecart | 1,000,000 Subscriber Special . 7 February 2015 . YouTube.
  7. Web site: Former University of Northampton student named most wealthy YouTuber in the world, Forbes magazine reveals . 8 December 2017 . Northampton Chronicle & Echo.
  8. Web site: Slater . Chris . 6 December 2020 . Meet the YouTube star from Northants who's a multi-millionaire in his 20s . Northants Live.
  9. News: Kelsey . Rick . 2017-11-24 . YouTube star Dan TDM 'not prepared for being a role model for a young audience' . 2024-08-24 . en-GB. BBC News.
  10. Web site: Lobb . Adrian . 22 May 2014 . Diamond Minecraft interview: "I have more YouTube subscribers than the BBC" . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304024508/http://www.bigissue.com/features/interviews/3899/diamond-minecraft-interview-i-have-more-youtube-subscribers-than-the-bbc . 4 March 2016 . 3 March 2016 . The Big Issue.
  11. 1215318739652087808. dantdm. Asher Middleton was born on the 5th January 2020. We couldn't be happier. We have made the decision not to show his face anywhere online so please respect our wishes. Thank you, I'll be back soon :) xx.
  12. 1215319046062845953. xjemmamxo. Our son, Asher Middleton, arrived safely into the world at 10.33am on Sunday 5th January 2020 ❤️ We are on cloud 9 soaking up every minute of parenthood and couldn't be happier we will be keeping Asher private and won't be sharing his face online so please respect our wishes. Jemma. Middleton. 2023-07-19.
  13. 1595846784059940865. dantdm. We are so happy to introduce you to our new baby Son, Miles. He was born at our home on the 22nd November. Overjoyed to add a new member to our little family. As with Asher, we are going to keep his face private. Thank you for understanding. Taking a break .
  14. News: 11 April 2014 . Dan Middleton's Minecraft videos a global hit . . 3 March 2016.
  15. News: 26 August 2014 . Maker Studios Now Partnered With Top Three YouTube Gaming Channels [EXCLUSIVE] ]. Tubefilter . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140831040254/https://www.tubefilter.com/2014/08/26/the-diamond-minecarft-maker-studios-polaris/ . 31 August 2014.
  16. Web site: DanTDM . 12 December 2016 . I'm Changing My Name... . 1 April 2017 . YouTube.
  17. Web site: Anderson . Dan . 2019 . DanTDM . 13 January 2021 . Common Sense Media.
  18. News: Cowdrey . Katherine . YouTube's Dan the Diamond Minecart inks book deal – The Bookseller . . live . 13 August 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160826212251/http://www.thebookseller.com/news/trapeze-publish-graphic-novel-youtubes-dan-diamond-minecart-330271 . 26 August 2016.
  19. Web site: Staff . 3 August 2016 . The On-Sale Calendar October 2016 Children's Books . 13 August 2016 . Publishers Weekly.
  20. Listings on The New York Times Best Seller list per week: Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12, when it fell to the second spot.
  21. Web site: Merrell . Andrew . 5 October 2016 . Bet you've not heard of the biggest star at literature festival? . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20161012152035/http://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/bet-you-haven-8217-t-heard-of-the-biggest-star-at-the-cheltenham-literature-festival-2016/story-29780498-detail/story.html . 12 October 2016 . 12 October 2016 . Gloucestershire Live.
  22. Web site: Merrell . Andrew . 11 October 2016 . Hundreds rush Cheltenham Literature Festival tent to reach DanTDM . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20161012235110/http://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/hundreds-rush-waterstones-tent-at-cheltenham-literature-festival-to-get-a-glimpse-of-dantdm/story-29799439-detail/story.html . 12 October 2016 . 12 October 2016 . Gloucestershire Live.
  23. Web site: Knox . Kelly . 25 November 2016 . Take 'Minecraft' to the Next (Reading) Level With DanTDM's New Graphic Novel – GeekDad . 21 September 2017 . geekdad.com.
  24. Grixti, Shannon (19 July 2017) "YouTuber DanTDM Is Touring Australia Again" Press Start AU.
  25. Web site: IQ . 15 February 2017 . Live Nation takes YouTuber DanTDM on US tour – IQ Magazine: Live Music Business News . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170818202921/https://www.iq-mag.net/2017/02/live-nation-youtuber-dantdm-us-tour/#.WN7xvRiUU_U . 18 August 2017 . 1 April 2017 . iq-mag.net.
  26. News: Spata . Christopher . 29 June 2017 . YouTube's Minecraft sensation Dan TDM brings live show to Clearwater . 2024-08-24 . Tampa Bay Times . en.
  27. News: Milligan . Mercedes . 16 February 2017 . YouTube Red Slates First Original Kids Shows . en-US . . 15 June 2017.
  28. Web site: 7 June 2017 . YouTube Is Secretly Run By Insane CGI Kids Videos . 15 June 2017 . Where To Stream Movies & Shows on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Instant, HBO Go.
  29. News: 7 April 2017 . DanTDM's 'Big Scene' Can Tide Diehard Fans Over – GeekDad . en-US . . 15 June 2017.
  30. Web site: 11 YouTubers Who Smashed It In 2017 – TenEighty — YouTube News, Features, and Interviews . 10 January 2018 . teneightymagazine.com.
  31. News: Coffey . Laura T. . 2017-10-12 . Millions of kids adore this YouTube star; here's why parents do too . 2024-08-24 . TODAY.com . en.
  32. News: 8 September 2019 . The Sunday Times Influencer List 2019: meet the UK's top 100 . . 25 June 2020.
  33. News: Agnew . Megan . Dan Middleton interview: playing Minecraft on YouTube earned him £25m . . live . 22 June 2020 . https://archive.today/20200624190202/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/dan-middleton-interview-sitting-on-a-goldmine-minecraft-sunday-times-rich-list-866bjrxdn . 24 June 2020.
  34. Web site: Nightingdale . Ed . Minecraft YouTuber to present new Classic FM video game music series . 2025-01-08 . 2025-05-12 . . en.
  35. Web site: 20 December 2020 . Rich list: Which young YouTubers are in the money? . 11 December 2020 . BBC Newsround.
  36. Web site: Brew . Simon . 2 October 2019 . DanDTM is heading into UK cinemas this weekend . 13 January 2021 . Film Stories.
  37. Web site: 15 August 2021 . Every Celebrity Cameo In Free Guy . 10 October 2021 . ScreenRant . en-US.
  38. Web site: Guner . Ediz . Who Are The YouTubers in the Minecraft Movie? . GameRant . . 1 April 2025 . 5 December 2024.
  39. Kamen . Matt . 14 October 2016 . Watch the trailer for Netflix's exclusive Skylanders Academy animated series . Wired . 11 December 2020.
  40. Web site: Knox . Kelly . 5 April 2017 . 'DanTDM Creates a Big Scene' In This Exclusive Sneak Peek . 11 December 2020 . Geek Dad.
  41. Web site: 2025-04-10 . Black Mirror Season 7 – USS Callister: Into Infinity explained . 2025-04-17 . Dexerto . en.
  42. Cork . Jeff . 31 May 2016 . Minecraft: Story Mode – Episode 6: A Portal To Mystery . https://web.archive.org/web/20160602012913/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/minecraft_story_mode__episode_6_a_portal_to_mystery/b/xboxone/archive/2016/05/31/youtubers-get-in-on-the-action-in-minecraft-story-mode-39-s-latest-episode.aspx . live . 2 June 2016 . Game Informer . 11 December 2020.
  43. Web site: Doultrey . Stephen . 9 September 2015 . Minecraft and Rocket League records smashed at Legends of Gaming event in London . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20151016235325/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2015/9/minecraft-and-rocket-league-records-smashed-at-legends-of-gaming-event-in-london-395623 . 16 October 2015 . 17 October 2015 . Guinness World Records.
  44. Web site: Swatman . Rachel . 14 December 2015 . YouTube stars including Dan TDM smash Rocket League record at Insomnia gaming festival . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20161012222717/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2015/12/dan-tdm-and-team-of-youtubers-smash-rocket-league-record-at-insomnia-gaming-festi-410064 . 12 October 2016 . 4 October 2016 . Guinness World Records.
  45. News: Swatman . Rachel . 27 October 2016 . Youtuber Dan TDM enters Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition for Minecraft channel . . live . 1 November 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161030034552/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2016/10/youtuber-dan-tdm-enters-guinness-world-records-gamers-edition-for-minecraft-chan-448498 . 30 October 2016.
  46. Web site: 2015 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150502044913/http://kca.nick.co.uk/vote?category=UK-Favourite-Tipster . 2 May 2015 . 11 February 2016.
  47. Web site: 2016 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards – UK Favourite Tipster . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130327235626/http://kca.nick.co.uk/vote#cat=UK-Favourite-Tipster . 27 March 2013 . 19 March 2016 . 2016 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards.

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