The Fall Of A Gaming Star: What Happened To Mini Ladd And Where Is He Now In 2025?

The question "What happened to Mini Ladd?" marks one of the most significant and dramatic downfalls in the history of YouTube gaming and content creation. Once a prominent figure associated with the massively popular Vanoss Gaming crew, Mini Ladd, whose real name is Craig Joseph Thompson, saw his career and public image completely implode following a series of serious allegations that surfaced in 2020.

As of late 2024 and early 2025, Thompson’s status is defined by a significant public silence and professional isolation. Despite a brief attempt at a YouTube comeback post-controversy, his presence has dwindled, views have tanked, and he remains permanently banned from the Twitch platform, serving as a cautionary tale about accountability in the digital age.

Mini Ladd: Biography and Rise to YouTube Stardom

Before the controversy, Craig Joseph Thompson was a celebrated Northern Irish YouTuber and video game commentator known for his energetic personality and comedic content. He built a massive audience by collaborating with some of the biggest names in gaming.

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Full Biography Profile:

• Full Name: Craig Joseph Thompson
• Online Alias: Mini Ladd
• Date of Birth: January 7, 1995
• Age (as of 2025): 30
• Birthplace: Dubai, United Arab Emirates (also lived in Singapore and Northern Ireland)
• Nationality: Northern Irish / British
• Career: YouTuber, Video Game Commentator, Comedian, Vlogger
• Peak Association: Vanoss Gaming / Banana Bus Squad
• YouTube Subscribers (Peak): Over 5 million

The Early Days: The Banana Bus Squad Connection

Mini Ladd’s career took off thanks to his association with the "Banana Bus Squad," a loose collective of popular gaming YouTubers led by VanossGaming (Evan Fong).

His content, primarily composed of funny moments and commentary from games like Grand Theft Auto V and Garry's Mod, resonated with millions of viewers.

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However, Thompson eventually sought to distance himself from the group, stating he wanted to grow his own brand and not be known simply as "Vanoss's friend," a move that caused some early friction even before the major scandal.

The Grooming Allegations and Public Confession

The entire trajectory of Craig Thompson’s career changed dramatically in June 2020 when multiple women came forward with serious allegations against the content creator. This moment marked the beginning of the end for the Mini Ladd brand.

The Core Accusations

The most damaging claims came from two young women, known publicly as Ash and Halley, who accused Mini Ladd of grooming and sending inappropriate images when they were underage.

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The allegations painted a picture of a predatory influencer using his platform and fame to engage in inappropriate behavior with younger fans. The evidence presented by the accusers was widely circulated and discussed across social media platforms like Twitter and Reddit.

Thompson's Admission and Twitch Ban

Unlike many content creators who deny or deflect, Craig Thompson eventually addressed the situation, admitting that the damning allegations were true.

In a public statement, he apologized to the women involved, but the damage was already done. The immediate consequence was a total professional collapse:

• Twitch Ban: Thompson was permanently banned from the Twitch platform, effectively ending his streaming career.
• Sponsorship Losses: He lost all major brand sponsorships and partnerships.
• Professional Isolation: His former colleagues and friends in the gaming community, including members of the Vanoss crew, distanced themselves from him.

The Failed Comeback and Current Status in 2025

Following the initial wave of the scandal, many wondered if Mini Ladd would disappear entirely or attempt a public redemption. He chose the latter, but the results have been lackluster and met with widespread criticism.

The YouTube "Return"

Thompson made a calculated return to YouTube, attempting to resume content creation. He posted an introduction video on August 12, 2020, where he explained his absence and promised to change.

He continued uploading content, including vlogs and meme streams, in a bid to reclaim his audience. This period of his "comeback" reportedly spanned from 2021 up to early 2024.

However, the attempts were largely unsuccessful. His views and subscriber engagement plummeted significantly, reflecting the community’s unwillingness to forgive or forget the severity of the grooming allegations.

Where Is Mini Ladd Now in 2025?

As of late 2024 and the beginning of 2025, Mini Ladd appears to be on a significant social media hiatus, if not a complete departure from the public eye.

• YouTube Inactivity: While his channel's video list was updated as recently as May 26, 2024, the overall consensus among community trackers suggests his status is currently "Inactive" on his main channels.
• Social Media Silence: There is no significant recent activity on his social media pages, signaling that he has either left social media altogether or is maintaining a prolonged silence.
• Professional Isolation: The fallout with the Vanoss Gaming crew, which was once his main source of collaborative content, remains permanent. While he was reportedly still friends with some members at one point, the connection to the main group is severed.

The story of Mini Ladd, or Craig Thompson, is a clear example of a high-profile content creator whose career was destroyed by their own actions. The "YouTube comeback" was a significant failure, and the once-massive personality now exists on the periphery of the internet, a stark contrast to his peak popularity with the Banana Bus Squad.

The public's memory of the miniladd grooming allegations and the subsequent Twitch ban has proven too strong for any meaningful return, leaving his channel as a digital relic of a career that ended in scandal.