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There’s a wild conspiracy theory circulating that Neil Buchanan from Art Attack is Banksy

It's the conspiracy theory that's taking over the internet, but would you believe us if we told you Neil Buchanan is actually Banksy?

Emily Sergeant - 7th September 2020

Would you believe us if we told you that Art Attack presenter Neil Buchanan is actually Banksy?

Well, after a conspiracy theory suggesting this began circulating online over the weekend, there’s now thousands of people out there who very much do believe it.

Or at least want to believe it.

If you’re unfamiliar with who Neil Buchanan is and how he could even possibly be the iconic anonymous street artist Banksy, Neil is an artist, musician and children’s TV presenter best known as the host of the CITV show Art Attack from 1990 to 2007.

But, where on earth did this bizarre theory come from then? Who started it?

Although not entirely confirmed, it’s believed to have originated last Friday afternoon on Twitter by user account @Scouseman who said: “Just heard that it’s rumoured Neil Buchanan is Banksy.

“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.”

And it’s really taken off.

In fact, to say it’s a theory that has ‘taken off’ would be somewhat of an understatement, because not only has it been widely reported on and is currently trending on Twitter with over 6,800 tweets and counting, but word of it has even made it back to the man himself.

Yes, it probably won’t come as a surprise to learn that Neil now knows that everyone thinks he’s Banksy – having been “inundated with enquiries” over the weekend – but he is keen to set the record straight.

In an official statement addressing the claims on his website, Neil Buchanan’s team said: “Neil Buchanan is not Banksy. We have been inundated with enquiries over the weekend regarding the current social media story [and] 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.”

Regardless of Neil’s denial, this certainly hasn’t stopped the internet from continuing with the mass speculation and if anything, it’s only ignited the theory even further.

At this point, who really knows?

All we know is that we’re invested and we hope there’s an outcome before the end of the year, but that’s probably wishful thinking.