Ellen Stephenson, a 20-year-old creator from Brighton, UK, had gained more than 3,000 subscribers from her charming videos. But while she began socially transitioning at home at the age of 11, Ellen was not open about her gender identity online – until now.

Ellen told PinkNews that being openly trans at home for so long while not out online was a “Hannah Montana situation.” She explained: “I started living my life inside the house as a girl [while still presenting as male to the outside world]”.

The announcement, released on her channel, was a shock for some of her fans. Ellen said she originally didn’t have any plans to come out when starting on YouTube.

“I had no intention of doing it at all,” she said. "It got to the point where I didn’t even share my name online because I was so afraid of people who used to know me. I didn’t share it on any of my social media, I just wanted to start my channel on the low-down.”

She admitted that it wasn’t until last year that she considered coming out, due to her gaining an unprecedented LGBT+ audience.

Over the past year, Ellen said she gained a “f*** it” mentality, deciding to come out in a video she posted two weeks ago. She said that being visible for other young trans people is important to her, saying: “If I’d had the internet back when I was younger […] it would’ve made a huge difference.”