Art Attack’s Neil Buchanan denies he is Banksy after rumour spreads on social media

Of course, that's what he would say if he was really Banksy

Art Attack host Neil Buchanan has issued an official denial that he is Banksy after a rumour spread through social media this weekend that the kids TV presenter was actually the mysterious street artist. "Neil Buchanan is NOT Banksy," reads the statement on his official website.

"PLEASE NOTE:  We have been inundated with enquiries over the weekend regarding the current social media story. Unfortunately, this website does not have the infrastructure to answer all these enquiries individually, however we can confirm that there is no truth in the rumour whatsoever."

"Neil spent Lockdown with vulnerable members of his family and is now preparing to launch his new art collection in 2021."

"Thank you and please stay safe."

The theory seems to have originated from a possibly-not-entirely-serious tweet on September 4th, that claimed there was a pattern in where Buchanan's band have played shows that correlated with where Banksy's artwork appeared. https://twitter.com/ScouseMan_/status/1301842661364641792 "Just heard that it's rumoured Neil Buchanan is Banksy," tweeted the user Scouseman. "If true, it's the funniest shit ever. Aintree's finest. He's a musician and art has followed in the cities of shows he's done allegedly. This is straight in the believe without question category." For those of you who don't know, as well as his Art Attack fame, Neil Buchanan was also in a heavy metal band called Marseille, formed in 1976. It's the sort of fact that goes around social media every six months or so. [caption id="attachment_248476" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Neil is on the left.[/caption] Buchanan started presenting the classic CITV art show in 1990, and would go on to front the programme for over 25 years over 19 seasons. He also presented other 1990s kids shows including Finders Keepers and It's A Mystery. Street artist Banksy first came to prominence in the early 2000s, but his identity has never been revealed. Popular suggestions that have been mooted as his identity include Robert Del Naja, a.k.a. 3D from the band Massive Attack, and Gorillaz and Tank Girl artist Jamie Hewlett.