TotalBiscuit, the online handle of John Bain — a popular and influential British video-game critic, esports commentator and YouTube creator — has died. He was 33.
Bain revealed in 2014 that he had bowel cancer, and this past April announced that the disease had spread to the point where he would be retiring from reviewing games. He died on Thursday.
TotalBiscuit’s YouTube channel has 2.2 million followers, and his videos have been viewed 867 million times to date. He also was a frequent presence on Twitch, the game-broadcasting service. TotalBiscuit began posting gameplay videos on YouTube after he was laid off from his job at a financial-services firm in 2010.
His wife, Genna Bain, posted the text of “Love Constant Beyond Death,” a poem by Francisco de Quevedo, in a tribute to him on Thursday.
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
On Twitch, TotalBiscuit created the “LUL” emote, a picture of himself laughing, which he began offering to users on his channel with keyword “cynicallaugh.”
Twitch issued a statement Thursday about his death: “John Bain’s opinionated game critiques and sense of humor led to him becoming one of the most prominent voices in the gaming industry. The emote bearing his face represents the indelible mark that he has left on Twitch. Thank you for everything, TotalBiscuit.”
Other tributes to TotalBiscuit poured out from friends, fans and partners following the news of his death:
John Peter Bain
July 8, 1984 – May 24, 2018 pic.twitter.com/XchUMNDYXC— TotalBiscuit (@Totalbiscuit) May 24, 2018
TotalBiscuit lived way longer than his doctors predicted he would, through sheer stubborn refusal to let his illness control him. Salute, sir
— Dan Bull (@itsDanBull) May 25, 2018
Really sad about @totalbiscuit passing. I always admired his way of cutting through the bullshit – how he was never afraid of anyone or anything. He helped us get started and promoted the first Jingle Jam, and I'll never forget laughing together as we were blown up by ARSE mines.
— Lewis Brindley (@YogscastLewis) May 25, 2018
Truly saddened to hear we have lost @Totalbiscuit. He was a giant in our industry and will be sorely missed.
R.I.P John Bain <3
— PLAYERUNKNOWN (@PLAYERUNKNOWN) May 25, 2018
John, thank you for everything. We will miss you. pic.twitter.com/wbmuqNAQem
— Blizzard Entertainment (@Blizzard_Ent) May 25, 2018