Art Attack host Neil Buchanan's life from heavy metal band to Banksy rumours

It has been 21 years since the iconic children’s show Art Attack first hit our screens.

The CITV show helped bring art to a new generation of youngsters, spearheaded by art expert Neil Buchanan from its inception in 1990 until 2007.

Though the presenting gig was later taken over by Jassa Ahluwalia in 2011 and then by Lloyd Warbey from 2012 to 2015, it appeared nobody could quite match Neil’s passion for craft, as the programme was eventually cancelled.

Art Attack even inspired a similar BBC art programme aimed at kids – SMart, initially presented by the late Mark Speight before his suicide.

But since he quit the show, where is Art Attack presenter Neil Buchanan now?

From rumours that he could be the elusive graffiti artist Banksy to his frankly unrecognisable role in a heavy metal band, we delve into his life after Art Attack.

Other work

Art Attack wasn’t Neil’s only television achievement.

Though he’s best known for creating the Big Art Attack from seemingly random materials, his catchphrase ‘Try it yourself!’ and sporting his iconic red jumper, Neil’s been on everything from game shows to racy panel programme Celebrity Juice.

Neil also hosted the British version of room-raiding game show Finders Keepers in 1991, and first made his television debut on Saturday morning programme No. 73, and later presented children’s morning show Motormouth.

In 2012, he even popped up on Celebrity Juice to discuss his heavy metal band Marseilles, and how it felt to end Art Attack after so many years.

And in 2011, he helped launch a children’s art competition on GMB precursor Daybreak.

But he’s an artist in real life, too – even launching his very own charity Christmas card collection, with a new collection of artwork due out this year.

And the 59-year-old also dabbles in photography, specialising in travel, wildlife and portrait shots.

He’s also an ambassador for the Prince’s Trust for Children and the Arts, according to his official biography.

Neil says his “proudest moment” was when Art Attack won the first two BAFTAs.

“For an ordinary lad from Liverpool, it doesn’t get much better than that!”

Sweet family

Neil is married to his wife Nichola, and the pair share two children together.

The Aintree-born artist tied the knot in 1989 and later welcomed son Freddie and daughter Molly.

The adorable couple were pictured together at the red carpet for The Wind in the Willows press night at the London Palladium back in 2017, with Neil looking dapper in a grey suit, and blonde beauty Nichola stunning in a calf-length black dress.

Banksy rumours

People have been trying to find out the secret identity of legendary graffiti artist Banksy since his first work popped up in the 1990s.

But last year, a conspiracy theory went viral, which claimed that Neil was actually behind the mask.

One Twitter user started the media storm off by posting: “Just heard that it’s rumoured Neil Buchanan is Banksy.

“If true, it’s the funniest sh** ever. Aintree’s finest… This is straight in the believe without question category,” they wrote.

Theories continued to fly on the Internet, with one adding: “Neil Buchanan WAS known for his big outdoor pieces utilising multimedia props and items to craft uncanny replicas” – just like Banksy.

And the original theory went on: “He’s a musician [like Bansky] and art has followed in the cities of shows he’s done allegedly.”

The rumours were so rife that Neil actually posted an update to his website, insisting that it wasn’t true.

“Neil Buchanan ISN’T Banksy,” a statement read.

“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.”

The statement went on: “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.”

But isn’t that exactly what Banksy would say?

Since then, ‘Banksy’ has responded to the rumours, as dad-of-three Allan Levy woke up one morning to discover the image of Neil Buchanan’s face plastered across his wall on Brick Kiln Lane in Northampton.

The piece showed Buchanan holding a paint spray can and unmasking himself as the world-renowned street artist, and includes the Banksy logo.

It was typical of Banksy’s style – but the Bristol street artist never claimed responsibility for the work.

Rock legend

Liverpudlian rock band Marseilles just wouldn’t be the same without Neil.

As the lead guitarist of the heavy metal band, he helped the band secure the first-ever Battle of the Bands win at Wembley Arena back in 1977.

The band was part of the first new wave of British heavy metal to ever secure a major recording contract and embark on a tour of the US.

Featuring Neil on lead guitar, Paul Dale on vocals, Steve Dinwoodie on bass, Andy Charters on the second guitar and Keith Knowles on drums, the band is best known for songs like The French Way and Can Can.

Neil was a member of the band from 1976 until 1980 but joined up with them again after quitting Art Attack in 2008, where he remained until 2017.

On reviving his band in the 2010s, he told the BBC: “I’m a musician first – that’s what runs through my blood.

“I was a failed rock star first time around, so getting five forty-somethings back together into the music business, which is dead, in a genre of music that hasn’t been heard of since the dinosaurs, that’s been my greatest achievement.”

And Neil looked unrecognisable as part of the band, sporting rugged vest tops and plenty of jewellery as he rocked out on stage.

In one pic, he can even be seen showing off a triangle of bare chest, in just a patterned waistcoat, with his biceps on full display.

His dramatic transformation is enough to give anyone an ‘Art attack.

Secret X-rated message

The Internet was taken by storm back in 2017 when one social media user spotted a hidden X-rated message in The Head from Art Attack.

The faux-stone bust was said to have a racy word carved into the hair at its forehead.

Twitter user Jamie Smart was one of the first to point it out, writing: “Wait wait wait so they actually did carve ‘sex’ into The Head from Art Attack’s haircut?”

“OMG! You can’t unsee that cr*p!” another social media user replied, as someone else echoed: “One can hope they purposely sculpted it in a way where they knew the studio lighting would get the rest of the job done.”

“Childhood ruined!” a third fan moaned.

Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk