Recording summary · May 2020
What happened to Jacksgap (Jack Harries)
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Overview
Daniel launched an investigation into the fates of prominent early 2010s UK YouTube creators, examining Jack Harries and his channel JacksGap alongside contemporaries such as Alfie Deyes, Zoella, Dan and Phil, Jim Chapman, and Marcus Butler.
The trajectory of JacksGap shifted from simple gap-year skits, twin collaborations, and corporate-sponsored travel vlogs to environmental activism, rebranding, and significantly diminished regular video output.
Themes
The early 2010s UK YouTube vlogging scene and the prominence of creators like Alfie Deyes, Zoella, Dan and Phil, Jim Chapman, and Marcus Butler.
The founding and initial content of JacksGap during Jack Harries's gap year, featuring simple skits and collaborations with his twin brother Finn.
Contrasts between the vlogging styles of early 2010s YouTube and 2020 commentary or clickbait trends.
Sponsored travel content by Jack and Finn supported by Sony and Skype, and connections to their father Andrew Harries and Left Bank Pictures.
Jack Harries's transition into environmental activism, news protest appearances, channel rebranding, and reduced upload frequency and viewership.
Developments
Jack Harries launched the JacksGap YouTube channel during his pre-university gap year approximately eight years prior to the recording.
Sony and Skype provided £20,000 to sponsor travel videos created by Jack and Finn.
Jack Harries rebranded his YouTube channel from JacksGap to Jack Harries around 2018.
Jack Harries was arrested during an environmental protest.
Uncertainties & gaps
Whether Jack Harries gained roughly a million subscribers in under a year.
The exact demographic breakdown of JacksGap's viewership, though assumed to be mostly female.
The precise lineup of top young British YouTubers in 2020.
Whether Jack Harries glued himself specifically to a tree during the protest resulting in his arrest.