Neil Buchanan

Neil Buchanan
Born (1961-10-11) 11 October 1961
Aintree, Liverpool, England England
Occupation Television Presenter Television Producer, Musician, Guitarist
Years active 1982–present
Notable work Art Attack (1990-2007)
Notes
Co-founder of The Media Merchants

Neil Buchanan (born 11 October 1961) is an English television presenter and musician best known for his work on the CITV programme Art Attack, a television programme that he presented during its run from 1990 to 2007. He has also presented Finders Keepers (1991–1996) and It's a Mystery (1996–2000), and produced and appeared in ZZZap! as Smart Arty (1993–1998).

Early life

Neil Buchanan was born in Aintree, Liverpool. He attended Barlows Lane primary school. He then enrolled at Liverpool Art College but was turned down.[1]

He attended Liverpool Institute High School, now the Paul McCartney-sponsored Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts.

Career

Buchanan was in a heavy metal band called Marseille which formed in 1976. They were part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal scene. The band has released four albums and six singles, and have also provided backing vocals for Des'ree and Gary's Guitars.

Television

Buchanan made his television debut on a Saturday morning show called No. 73, later renamed 7T3.[1] He had attended the original audition, having met the No. 73 producers when his band Marseille appeared on Southern Television's Saturday Banana. He did not become a regular until the third series of No. 73 shown in 1983. After production ceased on 7T3 in 1988, he went on to present Motormouth, another Saturday morning children's programme made by TVS alongside Gaby Roslin. Buchanan stayed with Motormouth until the show's cancellation in 1992.

In 1990, he began presenting the CITV show Art Attack from its inception. In March 2000, Britt Allcroft, subsequently Gullane Entertainment, purchased the rights to the series from Buchanan in a £14 million transaction.[2]

In 1991, he hosted the British version of Finders Keepers, a room-raiding game show for both TVS and Scottish Television when TVS lost their licence to broadcast. He co-hosted the show with Diane Youdale, the former Gladiators star, in its final series in 1996. He also presented Animal Crazy with co-host Jenny Powell for two series between 1994 and 1995 which was produced by the Media Merchants for Granada Television, and It's a Mystery alongside Sophie Aldred, from 1996 to 1999.

From 1995 to 1997, Buchanan presented the awards show The CITV Awards, which gave viewers a chance to vote on who they think should win a CITV award.

Buchanan briefly appeared as a guest on Celebrity Juice on 8 November 2012 during series 8 episode 11, in which he discussed his leave from Art Attack and his current activities, playing with his band.

Personal life

Buchanan has two children: Freddie and Molly.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Meet Neil". HitEntertainment.com. Archived from the original on 26 July 2011. Retrieved 12 April 2007.
  2. ↑ Robins, Jane (16 March 2000). "Sooty firm snaps up 'Art Attack'makers for £14m". The Independent (UK). Retrieved 6 May 2009.

External links

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