Inside Art Attack legend Neil Buchanan’s life after hit kids show – from heavy metal band to Banksy claims
WITH his colourful jumpers, squeaky marker pens and ability to turn toilet rolls into something spectacular, TV legend Neil Buchanan created a TV hit with his popular show Art Attack.
Now after 17 years off air, the show is getting a new spritz of life thanks to comedian Romesh Ranganathan and his production company Ranga Bee.
Taking to heart Neil’s famous catchphrase, “Now try it for yourself”, Romesh has set his sights on bringing back Art Attack “for the next generation”.
According to a TV insider, the professional funny man, 46, used to avidly watch the show himself.
They said: “Like millions of Brits who grew up in the Nineties and Noughties, Romesh was no doubt a fan of the show.
“So now he’s passing that joy on to the next generation with this modern-day interpretation, which is destined for a major children’s network, probably Children’s BBC.
‘It will be something of a departure for Ranga Bee however as they tend to make comedy shows, usually starring their owner, Mr Ranganathan, himself.”
Since packing away his crepe paper, pens and palettes after the final episode of the original series aired in 2007, Neil has been busier than ever.
He’s been filling his time creating artwork and photography.
Neil’s even designed a major theme park attraction and been rocking out in a heavy metal band.
In more recent times, the 67-year-old has faced claims he is the world’s most secretive street artist, Banksy – so just what has he been up to over the last 17 years?
Art at his heart
Neil was always a dab hand at art and as a creative kid would spend hours moulding masterpieces from things people had thrown away.
He says on his website biography: “I was always drawing or making things out of scraps of rubbish.
“My dad noticed I had a flair for art and he’d sit and draw with me for hours.”
Neil studied at Liverpool Institute High School for Boys, which is owned by fellow Liverpudlian Sir Paul McCartney.
Some of his best – and literally biggest – artwork was produced on Art Attack as unique installations that were massive in size.
These included a picture of the late Queen Elizabeth II made out of £250,000 in £10 notes and a huge tropical fish made from items found in a pet food shop.
Since ending the show, he has continued to produce artwork and photography.
The music maker
Aside from art, Neil has a huge passion for music.
After the show ended, he transformed his look and reformed his heavy rock band, Marseilles, which he first joined in 1976.
The short hair and red jumpers have been ditched in favour of fitted waistcoats, rugged stubble and long salt and pepper locks, making him look every inch a rock god rather than children’s TV presenter.
His group have released four albums and six singles together, as well as supported the likes of Judas Priest, Nazareth, Whitesnake and UFO on tour.
Disney lover
Neil has described Walt Disney as “the greatest ideas man that ever lived”, while Art Attack was broadcast by ITV and the Disney Channel.
So it was only fitting that, according to his own bio, that he was asked to design one of the attractions at Disneyland Paris.
He hasn’t revealed which one it is, though we’re betting it’s one of his few creations unlikely to have been made out of papier mache.
Banksy rumours
In September 2020, a conspiracy theory did the rounds that Neil was secretive street artist, Banksy.
The prolific artist’s identity has been famously under wraps for decades and there have been constant whisperings about who he really is.
Giving credence to the theory is Neil’s creativity, his love for music and his talent for making big art installations, mostly in public places.
One Twitter user suggested it was “rumoured” that Neil was behind artworks like Balloon Girl and Love is in the Bin.
Sadly for believers, the rumours are just that and no more – according to Neil at least.
A statement on his website said there was “no truth in the rumour whatsoever.”