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?
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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.
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“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.
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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.
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‘Big John’ is bringing his ‘BOSH’ bingo to Manchester
Danny Jones
Attention, all you ‘Big John’ lovers, the man himself is coming to Manchester this year for his very own ‘BOSH Bingo’ show.
Excessively large takeaway order not included*
That’s right, ‘Big John’ Fisher has gone from being a viral sensation famous for eating shedloads of Chinese and saying that one catchphrase to hosting his very own live bingo tour.
Even by his standards, his announcement video was an eye-catching one, to say the least – and we expect the event itself to be equally hilarious.
— big john the boshfather (@Johnfis08605918) January 7, 2026
For anyone somehow unfamiliar with ‘The Boshfather’, there isn’t a single sentence that isn’t completely accurate, and that doesn’t sum up pretty much everything you need to know about the man, the myth, the legend.
Besides his son, Johnny Fisher Jr., being an aspiring boxer and fellow influencer on the side, as well as having appeared on Newsnight to talk about the UK’s multiculturalism being what makes this ‘Great Britain’ (legend), his legacy will very much be written online and on the back of a take-out menu.
Or will it?…
Riding the back of his growing popularity and being quite literally the physical representation of a British bulldog, he’s now preparing to do live shows all over the country.
Set up at the start of the New Year, the 51-year-old will be heading to Manchester city centre and more throughout 2026 for his debut BOSH Bingo tour.
Visiting 12 locations in total, he is promising “rave intervals, on stage competitions, ‘bosh’ prizes and, of course, a sprinkle of chicken balls for good measure.”
Put simply, not only the chaos of everyone’s favourite Bongo’s, “This is not your average bingo night, it’s BOSH BINGO!”
Sounds ridiculous… We’re SO there.
Coming to The Grosvenor on Oxford Road on 21 February, before heading to the likes of Leeds, Liverpool and Sheffield, just to name a few, you can grab your tickets right HERE.
Let’s just say there’s some very silly but nevertheless fun and fantastic stuff happening in town this year.
Featured Images — Publicity picture (via Bosh Bingo Events)/The Manc Group
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Leigh Leopards share update regarding Tesi Niu allegations
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester rugby league side Leigh Leopards have now issued an update addressing the allegations levelled at one of their players, Tesi Niu.
With the statement coming directly from the club’s owner, Derek Beaumont, the club have shed light on their understanding of the situation.
Beaumont, who bought the team over a decade ago and rebranded it from ‘Centurions’ to the Leopards back in 2022 (and also owns a local decking company based in Worsley), appeared to speak on behalf of the club following the accusations made last week.
Sharing an official communication on social media on Wednesday afternoon, 8 January, they open by saying that “the club is aware of social media activity of concern from one of its players’ accounts, that of Tesi Niu.”
“The club can confirm that the player’s account was accessed externally and without his knowledge or consent”, they continue, “and [was] deleted a short period thereafter.”
“We were instantly aware of this as it happened”, says the Leigh Leopards owner. “As a club, we have policies and procedures and employ a Player Welfare Manager who is a qualified counsellor.
“Our first port of call in these circumstances is to ensure the welfare of our player and any external party that may be involved. This was immediately initiated.
“Having since personally spoken with Tesi and Kiana individually and at length, and then our Player Welfare Manager and Head Coach, I am completely satisfied that they are both being fully supported.
“I can also confirm that there is no official complaint to the club regarding the player, nor to any relevant authorities. To that end, the club will make no further statements about the matter and would welcome supporters’ trust in the club’s processes and findings.”
For context, you can read what 24-year-old Niu has been accused of in full down below.
While the organisation has now insisted that nothing formal has been raised within the club nor with the police at this time, many supporters are still insisting that there must be a full investigation into the troubling claims.
At present, however, the statement seems to suggest that they won’t be taking the matter any further internally – at least not for now/until a proper case is opened.
Nevertheless, many Leopards supporters, rugby fans and people online in general have understandably raised more concerns following the statement.
Neither Tesi Niu himself nor Kiana Smith – his partner of more than five years, currently said to be pregnant with their third child – has yet to share any further message(s) following the initial declaration of alleged abuse.
Emily Sergeant -
7th September 2020 
