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?
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
“This is straight in the believe without question category.”
Neil Buchanan is NOT Banksy. Could Banksy use cardboard tubes from old toilet rolls and different coloured ping pong balls to make a trap so you could tell if anybody had been in your room while you’d been out? I think we know the answer to that. It’s ‘no’. #neilbuchanan
The fact that there’s a huge rumour going round that Art Attack legend, Neil Buchanan, is actually Banksy is one of the only good things to have happened this year.
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
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.
Trending
Morrisons has launched a nationwide search for its first-ever Chief Doughnut Tester
Emily Sergeant
Today is National Doughnut Day, and to celebrate, Morrisons is on the look-out for one sweet treat fan to take on a new role.
That’s right – today (5 June) is National Doughnut Day, and Morrisons is officially on the hunt for the nation’s ultimate doughnut devotee with the launch of its brand-new (and delicious) role, The Chief Doughnut Tester – with all glaze enthusiasts, sprinkle connoisseurs, and jam-filled aficionados urged to get applying.
The search is on to crown one lucky fan who’ll take on the dream job of taste-testing their way through the supermarket‘s range of doughnuts.
The Chief Doughnut Tester is more than just a title, Morrisons says it’s ‘serious business’.
Morrisons has launched a nationwide search for its first-ever Chief Doughnut Tester / Credit: Morrisons
The new hire will be tasked with taste-testing doughnuts before they hit the shelves, giving verdicts on new flavours and textures, all in the name of research.
The role will also involve teaming up with Morrisons’ internal doughnut-expert team to develop new and limited-edition treats that’ll be in stores next year.
Crowned as the nation’s definitive doughnut authority, the selected winner won’t just earn the title of Chief Doughnut Tester, they’ll also receive the ultimate of sweet perks – a year’s free supply of Morrisons fresh doughnuts, which the retailer sells more than 1.1 million of weekly.
Aspiring Chief Doughnut Testers can apply on the Morrisons website here, by filling in a short 200-words about why’re the ideal candidate.
Applications close at midnight tonight (Friday 5 June), so you’ll need to be quick.
Featured Image – Annie Spratt (via Unsplash)
Trending
First-ever JD Wetherspoon pub to open at Manchester Airport
Danny Jones
In news that we feel many Mancs and travellers all-round have been waiting on for a long time, the well-known British chain, JD Wetherspoon, will be opening its first-ever pub at Manchester Airport.
That’s right: soon that first airport pint of the holiday could actually be a relatively cheap one.
While Wetherspoons are no strangers to popping up in terminals across the UK and Ireland, they’ve never done so here in Manchester despite having three, yes THREE, in Gatwick alone.
Not for much longer, though, as soon T2 will be lending more than 3,000 square feet of its prime leisure and retail real estate to a new Greater Manchester ‘Spoons’.
Posting on social media, the airport wrote: “Wetherspoon comes to Manchester Airport this September! The pub will be located in the Terminal 2 Departures lounge and will have more than 300 seats.
“This will become the final major food and drink venue to open its doors as part of our decade-long £1.3bn transformation of Terminal 2. It will be named ‘The Belle Vue’, in a nod to Manchester’s historic showground [now a sports complex and leisure hub].
“It was a focal point for social life in the city from the Victorian period up until 2020, when the final event was held at Belle Vue stadium. The design of the pub is inspired by the history of Belle Vue and the sporting culture of the North West of England. We look forward to welcoming you all in September!”
While a lot of money has been pumped into T2’s refurb as a whole over the past few years, it remains unclear just how much this particular new addition will cost; we do know that great sums were set aside for the launch of the Great Northern Market last year.
The inaugural Manchester Airport Spoons is just the latest in a series of major renovations.
As mentioned, the company already operate several up and down the country – 10 airport pubs, to be specific – but this will be the first in the North West.
Speaking on the news, JD Wetherspoon chief executive John Hutson said in a statement: “We are looking forward to opening at Manchester Airport. We believe our new pub will prove popular with travellers of all ages and be an asset to the new terminal.”
With Manchester Airport adding a dozen new routes to its roster this summer, you can expect to see even more people flying in and out than ever – no doubt having already polished off a cut-price pint or two beforehand.
Emily Sergeant -
7th September 2020 
