The identity of world-renowned street art extraordinaire Banksy has befuddled the world for years, and now some conspiracy theorists on Twitter reckon they’ve nailed down who he really is.
According to multiple users on the site, Banksy is really none other than the former host of children’s entertainment show Art Attack, Neil Buchanan.
Apparently the idea isn’t new either, with several reports suggesting that rumours the 58-year-old has been moonlighting as the world’s most famous anonymous artist have circulated for years now.
We traced the latest fuel back to a Twitter user called Scouseman.
“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,” he wrote.
https://twitter.com/ScouseMan_/status/1301842661364641792
The thread he began was quickly full of people discussing the possibility.
Some were suspicious, with one user writing “Don’t recall Banksy ever doing a piece made from bog roll and glue.”
But the idea began to gain traction over the following hours.
“Interesting…Neil Buchanan WAS known for his big outdoor pieces utilising multimedia props and items to craft uncanny replicas,” said one user.
“As a Bristolian I can say that this definitely true. We’ve known this for years down here,” added another.
“Just read this theory somewhere that Neil Buchanan (from Art Attack), is in fact Banksy and honestly, this is the only thing I am choosing to believe for the rest 2020,” added Daniel Marot.
Just read this theory somewhere that Neil Buchanan (from Art Attack), is in fact Banksy and honestly, this is the only thing I am choosing to believe for the rest 2020.
— Daniel Marot (@daniel_marot) September 6, 2020
As with many rumours like this, some legend went straight to Wikipedia to update Buchanan’s page.
“Recently rumours have emerged that Neil Buchanan may be the real identity of legendary graffiti artist Banksy,” it briefly said.
Image: Twitter / @enraged_owl
Whatever the case, Art Attack was an absolute banger of a show and now I’ve gone down a rabbit hole of watching a bunch of old episodes. I’m not even mad about it either.
Check out Art Attack with Neil Buchanan (Banksy?):
