Ava Kris Tyson, one of YouTube star MrBeast’s friends and collaborators, has quit the channel after grooming allegations, which she denies.

The YouTuber, 28, was accused earlier this month of sending inappropriate messages to a minor, reportedly a 13-year-old, while she was aged 20.

Tyson, who has denied the allegations, announced she had “mutually decided it’s best I permanently step away from all things MrBeast and social media to focus on my family and mental health”.

“I would like to apologise for any of my past behaviour or comments if it hurt or offended anyone. It was not my intent,” she said.

Tyson added: “I never groomed anyone. The person who gets brought up in these accusations has vocally supported that they are false.

“Having said that, I humbly apologise to anyone I have hurt with my unacceptable social media posts, past actions, and to those who may feel betrayed by how I used to act online.

“To lump these two factors together to create a narrative that my behaviour extended beyond bad edgy jokes is disgusting and did not happen.

“In past years, I have learned that my old humour is not acceptable. I cannot change who I was, but I can continue to work on myself.

“I don’t want these accusations to impact the hundreds of people who work at MrBeast, which is why I have stepped away.”

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

The allegations first emerged in a YouTube video last month.

The alleged victim, who was named online, said videos claiming Tyson groomed him “are massive lies and twisting the truth”.

“Ava never did anything wrong, and just made a few edgy jokes. I was never exploited or taken advantage of,” he added.

“This situation takes away from children who are actively being exploited everyday online. I am not a victim of anything being claimed in these videos or at all.”

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

In 2023, Tyson shared she was transgender and had started taking gender-affirming hormone therapy. She has regularly received transphobic abuse online.

MrBeast, real name Jimmy Donaldson, has not commented on the allegations.

Related posts:

UB40 star Brian Travers dies after ‘long and heroic battle with cancer’ Tributes paid to ‘endlessly funny’ Sex And The City star Willie Garson Roald Dahl’s family lands £500m windfall from sale to Netflix Dolly Parton among Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees – despite ‘not earning right to be there’ Johnny Depp lands first big film role after court win over Amber Heard Indian actor Aamir Khan starring in Forrest Gump remake – but it’s facing a boycott Major French film awards ban anyone accused of sexual assault from ceremony Alec Baldwin charged with involuntary manslaughter over fatal shooting on Rust film set Gregory Doran: ‘Shakespeare will last longer than the culture wars’ Emily In Paris actor reveals sepsis battle ‘I was born intersex and doctors tried to erase me. It’s important to speak out’ Sharon Osbourne hits back at Amanda Holden after criticism