Neil Buchanan

Neil Buchanan
Occupation Television presenter, television producer, musician, guitarist
Years active 1983–present
Notable work Art Attack (1990-2007)
Finders Keepers (1991-1996)
Notes
Co-founder of The Media Merchants

Neil Buchanan is an English television presenter and musician best known for his work on the CITV programme Art Attack, a television programme that he co-created and presented during its original run from 1990 to 2007. He 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 grew up in Aintree, Liverpool.[1] He attended Barlows Lane primary school, before moving on to Liverpool Institute High School, now the Paul McCartney-sponsored Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts. He then enrolled at Liverpool Art College but was turned down.[1]

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, and have released four albums and six singles.

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 ending 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 4 "Meet Neil". HitEntertainment.com. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  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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