3amCelebrity NewsYouTubeLucas Cruikshank became one of YouTube's biggest stars before most people had even heard of the platform and he made internet history with his Fred channel along the way12:36, 15 Jul 2026Updated 12:41, 15 Jul 2026He was one of YouTube's very first stars – launching his channel just months after the video-sharing platform was created. Not only that, but Lucas Cruikshank made YouTube history by becoming the first creator to reach one million subscribers on a single channel.‌Better known as Fred Figglehorn, Cruikshank rose to fame in the mid-2000s through a series of comedy skits starring his fictional six-year-old alter ego. Fred was known for his energetic personality, squeaky high-pitched voice and chaotic home life, with the character often getting himself into trouble thanks to his "anger management issues". The videos quickly became a viral sensation, turning Cruikshank into one of YouTube's biggest stars.‌His online success soon caught the attention of Nickelodeon, which signed him to create Fred: The Movie in 2010.‌The film proved so popular it spawned two sequels, Fred 2: Night of the Living Fred and Fred 3: Camp Fred, as well as a TV series, Fred: The Show, which ran for 24 episodes.The character also made cameo appearances in hit Nickelodeon shows including iCarly and Hannah Montana.While the original Fred YouTube channel still exists, it hasn't been active for almost a decade.‌Over the years, it evolved from Cruikshank's original comedy sketches into a family-friendly community channel designed to showcase children's creativity.The channel's bio reads: "Hi! My name is Lucas Cruikshank. I created the FЯED YouTube channel when I was 13 years old... I want to give other kids a creative outlet."‌Now 32, Cruikshank has moved on from the character that made him famous.He regularly uploads to his personal YouTube channel, Lucas, where his 3.4 million subscribers watch him review products, test viral fast-food hacks and visit holiday destinations to see whether they're worth the hype.Fans continue to flock to the channel, with many saying they enjoy seeing how much he's changed since his Fred days.‌Away from YouTube, Cruikshank came out as gay in a video posted in 2013.At the time, he told viewers: "I'm gay. I feel so weird saying it on camera. But my family and friends have known for like three years. I just haven't felt the need to announce it on the internet."He later met his now-husband, Australian model Matthew Fawcus, after the pair were introduced by fellow YouTuber Kingsley at a gay nightclub.Article continues belowToday, Fawcus regularly shares glimpses of their life together on Instagram, giving fans a look at the couple's travels and life away from YouTube.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌YouTubeViralNickelodeon