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Neil Buchanan

Neil Buchanan (born 11 October 1956) is an English artist, musician, photographer, and former children's television presenter best known for creating and hosting the CITV programme Art Attack from 1990 to 2007. The show, which Buchanan co-developed, featured hands-on art projects, model-making, and large-scale "Big Art" installations, drawing an average of six million viewers weekly at its peak and earning him two BAFTA Children's Awards. Born in and raised in the nearby suburb of , Buchanan initially pursued a career in music as the lead guitarist and songwriter for the band , formed in 1976. The band gained early recognition by winning a 1977 battle of the bands contest judged by Queen's and , toured the , and released albums before disbanding in the early . Transitioning to television in the 1980s, Buchanan appeared on shows such as No. 73 and Motormouth before achieving widespread fame with Art Attack, which ran for 19 series and over 250 episodes during his tenure. Following the end of Art Attack in 2007, Buchanan shifted focus to visual arts, specializing in paintings, photography, and hand-embellished prints that often draw on nostalgic themes from his Liverpool childhood, with exhibitions including his 2011 "Hope Street" collection. He reformed Marseille in 2010, releasing the album Unfinished Business and embarking on tours, before leaving the band again in 2017. Buchanan has resided in since the early 1990s, where he continues his multifaceted creative pursuits as of 2025.

Early life

Family and upbringing

Neil Buchanan was born on 11 October 1956 in , , into a working-class family. He grew up in the nearby suburb of during the , later describing his childhood as idyllic despite its modest circumstances, filled with back-alley play and everyday adventures in a close-knit community. His early interest in art was sparked by family encouragement, particularly from his father and grandfather, who would draw with him and nurture his creative flair. As a teenager, Buchanan became immersed in Liverpool's vibrant local music scene, inspired by the surrounding that permeated the city and led him to take up the guitar.

Education

Buchanan attended Barlows Lane Primary School and then Liverpool Institute High School for Boys. There, he honed his skills through dedicated classes and left with five O-Levels, including , laying the foundation for his lifelong passion for . He applied to but was turned down, instead pursuing a music career. During his school years, Buchanan participated in art clubs and school bands, activities that highlighted his emerging dual interests in visual creativity and music performance. These experiences foreshadowed his multifaceted career combining artistry and entertainment.

Career

Music career

Neil Buchanan began his music career in the mid-1970s as a in Liverpool's local rock scene. After leaving school, he formed his first band, initially named in homage to the Australian rock group, but changed the name to upon discovering the moniker was taken. The band, founded in 1976 with Buchanan on and backing vocals, alongside Andy Charters on , Keith Knowles on , Steve Dinwoodie on , and Paul Dale on vocals, quickly gained traction playing gigs in the area. Marseille's breakthrough came in 1977 when they won a national competition judged by Queen's and , securing a record deal with Mountain Records. Their debut album, Red, White and Slightly Blue, released in 1978, featured tracks influenced by the emerging New Wave of British (NWOBHM) scene, including singles like "The French Way" and "Rock You Tonight." The band supported major acts such as , , and on tour, building a dedicated following in the UK circuit. A second album, the self-titled Marseille, followed in 1979, with songs like "Kiss Like Rock 'n' Roll" showcasing Buchanan's rhythmic guitar work and the band's glam-tinged style. The group released a , Touch the Night, in 1984, but internal challenges and shifting trends led to their disbandment that year. Buchanan's contributions as lead guitarist helped define Marseille's energetic sound, blending raw riffs with rock anthems, though commercial success remained modest outside niche audiences. As his television career began to take shape in the late 1980s, Buchanan largely stepped away from performing, though he occasionally referenced his rock roots in interviews. Marseille reformed in 2008 with much of the original lineup, releasing Unfinished Business in 2010 and resuming live performances, but Buchanan's primary musical output remained rooted in the late 1970s and early era of the band's initial run.

Television career

Buchanan made his television debut in 1985 as a co-presenter on the children's programme , a Saturday morning show on . He followed this with a pilot episode for in 1989, produced by TVS for Children's . The main series of aired from 1990 to 2007 on Children's ITV and later , running for 19 series and comprising 301 episodes. The programme's format centred on Buchanan demonstrating accessible art techniques using everyday materials, often involving messy, large-scale creations known as "Big Art Attacks" filmed on location; it also included segments showcasing viewer-submitted artwork and on-site sketches. In addition to Art Attack, Buchanan co-hosted the children's game show from 1991 to 1996 alongside , where teams searched houses for hidden prizes. He made guest appearances on programmes such as during the 1990s. Buchanan co-created and served as its producer, writer, and set designer, contributing significantly to its scripting and visual elements. The series received acclaim, winning BAFTA Children's Awards, including for Best Children's Programme (Entertainment) in 1992. Following the conclusion of Art Attack's original run in 2007, Buchanan retired from regular television presenting to concentrate on his career as a painter. He made occasional guest appearances on shows in the , such as Daybreak in 2011. In 2024, a revival of the series premiered on , hosted by and others.

Art and other pursuits

Following the end of Art Attack in 2007, Buchanan shifted his professional focus to , creating works that moved beyond the craft-oriented projects of his television career. He began producing "grown-up " in acrylics, drawing from his childhood memories in 1960s to evoke nostalgic scenes of youth and simpler times. Buchanan's first major collection, Hope Street, consisted of 12 limited-edition prints depicting the story of childhood through evocative, figurative imagery such as children playing in urban and rural settings. Launched in October 2011 at Rennies Gallery in Liverpool, the exhibition marked his debut as a fine artist and toured various UK galleries, including Jamie Leigh Fine Art in Rubery in 2012 and Gallery Rouge in Harpenden later that year. Subsequent exhibitions of his acrylic paintings and prints have appeared in galleries across the UK, such as The Acorn Gallery in Pocklington and Portfolio Fine Art, often highlighting themes of nostalgia and personal history. In addition to painting, Buchanan has authored several instructional books tied to his era, including Amazing Art Attack Stuff and Art Attack: Great Stuff, which provide step-by-step guides to drawing, painting, and crafts using household materials. These publications emphasize accessible for children and families, reflecting skills honed during his TV presenting days. Other professional activities include brief acting roles in the 1980s, such as appearances in the children's series , where he portrayed characters like Corporal Tom 'Cannibal' Stiff. In the 2000s, he contributed voice work to animated segments within episodes, narrating craft demonstrations. More recently, Buchanan has engaged in charitable and collaborative efforts, such as donating art for auctions benefiting children's causes and partnering with in 2022 to launch the 'AirCraft' campaign, providing free art kits and activity guides on flights to inspire young passengers. During the in 2020–2021, he shared online tutorials via , demonstrating simple techniques to encourage home-based amid lockdowns.

Personal life

Marriage and family

Neil Buchanan married his wife, Nicola, in 1989. The couple has two sons, born in the early . During the height of his Art Attack career in the and early 2000s, Buchanan managed a demanding filming schedule—often involving location shoots across the —while prioritizing family time at their home in , where his sons grew up and attended local schools. The family settled in the area around Harbour, allowing Buchanan to commute for work while fostering a stable, private environment for his children amid his rising fame. Buchanan and Nicola have maintained a low-profile , with the couple appearing together publicly in 2017 and remaining together as of 2025, providing steadfast support for his post-television artistic endeavors.

Interests and residence

Buchanan has made his home in since the early 1990s, residing near the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve in a location that offers privacy and expansive space suitable for his art studio. This rural setting aligns with his preference for a quiet life away from urban bustle, allowing him to balance creative work with personal tranquility. His personal interests center on nature and photography, particularly , which he pursues through regular visits to the nearby Rye Harbour Nature Reserve—a site renowned for its and opportunities for observing local and . Buchanan maintains a minimal presence on platforms, opting instead for a more offline existence that emphasizes direct engagement with his surroundings. In terms of , Buchanan served as an for the Prince's Foundation for Children and the Arts (now defunct), an organization dedicated to providing arts education and creative opportunities to disadvantaged young people across the . His involvement included promoting access to artistic experiences, and he was once presented to Queen Elizabeth II, who commended his contributions to children's creativity as "ingenious." During the lockdown in 2020, he dedicated time to supporting vulnerable family members, reflecting his commitment to personal and community well-being. Following the end of his prominent television career in 2007, Buchanan has embraced a reclusive lifestyle, prioritizing a harmonious work-life balance centered on his artistic endeavors and natural interests rather than public appearances. This approach allows him to focus on producing fine art and photography without the pressures of fame.

Legacy

Public perception

Buchanan's abrupt retirement from television in 2007, after 17 years hosting , led to widespread speculation among fans and media about potential burnout from the demanding production schedule or involvement in undisclosed secret projects. In reality, Buchanan left the show to pursue a career, rejoining his rock band full-time, which he described as a fulfilling shift toward his long-standing passion for . This transition contributed to his temporary withdrawal from the public eye, amplifying rumors about his next moves and reshaping perceptions of him as a multifaceted seeking creative renewal. A persistent emerged in September 2020 claiming Buchanan was the anonymous street artist , driven by perceived similarities in their artistic approaches—both emphasizing accessible, large-scale creations—and Banksy's guarded identity, which mirrored Buchanan's low profile post-television. The theory gained traction on social media after users noted Banksy murals appearing in cities coinciding with Marseille's tour stops, leading to viral speculation that tied Buchanan's expertise in guerrilla-style art to Banksy's work. Buchanan repeatedly denied the claims in official statements, emphasizing in a 2020 release on his website that the held "no truth whatsoever" and that he had spent the period focused on family and preparing a new . Over time, Buchanan's public image has evolved from a children's television icon, beloved for inspiring creativity through , to a respected fine artist known for abstract oil paintings exhibited in galleries. In the 2020s, has revived nostalgia for his television era, with memes and viral clips of segments circulating on platforms like and , often humorously juxtaposing his youthful presenter persona with his current artistic endeavors and the speculation. This resurgence has reinforced his cultural legacy as a versatile creative figure, blending whimsy with professional artistry in public discourse.

Recognition and influence

Buchanan's work on Art Attack earned significant recognition in the children's television landscape, including two BAFTA Children's Awards in the Factual category for the programme in and 1997. These accolades highlighted the show's innovative approach to engaging young audiences with hands-on art projects using everyday materials. The programme's emphasis on accessible profoundly influenced educational practices in the UK, inspiring the integration of DIY art activities into school curricula during the and beyond. Teachers and educators frequently referenced Art Attack as a model for fostering imaginative expression, with its projects encouraging resourcefulness and problem-solving among children. Buchanan's contributions extended to music and , where his band played a part in the late-1970s British heavy metal scene. In the , his exhibitions and workshops have encouraged amateur painters, notably through a 2022 series of travel-inspired sessions in collaboration with , which provided free materials and tutorials to promote creativity during family trips. This initiative underscored his ongoing legacy in making approachable for non-professionals. The show's enduring impact is evident in its revivals, including a 2021 version on hosted by Lloyd Warbey and an announced reboot in 2025 hosted by .

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