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Art Attack presenter Neil Buchanan denies he is Banksy

By Martin Booth  Monday Sep 7, 2020

Banksy’s identity has long been a closely guarded secret. Could he have once attended fee-paying Bristol Cathedral School? Could he be a collective of a number of artists? Could he be Massive Attack’s Robert Del Naja?

The latest name to be linked to the elusive graffiti artist is a former children’s television presenter, who has denied he is in fact Banksy after an online conspiracy theory went viral.

“Neil Buchanan ISN’T Banksy,” read a statement posted to the broadcaster’s official website on Monday.

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The former Art Attack and Finder’s Keepers host was forced to deny the rumour, which appears to have started after a Twitter user claimed that Banksy artworks had sprung up in places where Buchanan’s former band Marseille played gigs.

“We have been inundated with enquiries over the weekend regarding the current social media story,” read the notice on his website.

“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.”

​It added: “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.”

Main photo: CITV

Read more: Banksy funds refugee rescue boat

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