Neil Buchanan

Neil Buchanan
Born	11 October 1961 (1961-10-11) (age 50) Aintree, Merseyside, England (Originally Lancashire)
Occupation	Television presenter/producer, musician, guitarist, Actor
Notes Co-founder of The Media Merchants

Neil Buchanan (born 11 October 1961) is an English television presenter 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), It's a Mystery (1996–2000), and also produced and appeared in ZZZap! as Smart Arty (1993–1998)

Early life

Neil Buchanan was born in Aintree, Merseyside (originally Lancashire). He 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

Music

Buchanan was in a band called Marseille who made two albums and five singles and were part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal scene. The band also provided backing vocals for Des'ree and Gary's Guitars.

Marseille reformed in 2009 and the band are currently recording a new album.

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, the show 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 the viewers a chance to vote on who they think should win a CITV Award.

Personal life

Buchanan has two children, Molly and Freddie.^[1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} "Meet Neil". HitEntertainment.com. http://www.hitentertainment.com/artattack/meetneil.html. Retrieved 12 April 2007. 
2. ^ Robins, Jane (16 March 2000). "Sooty firm snaps up 'Art Attack'makers for £14m". The Independent (UK). http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/sooty-firm-snaps-up--art-attackmakers-for-pound14m-724441.html. Retrieved 6 May 2009. 

External links

• Neil Buchanan's HOPE STREET Art
• Neil Buchanan at the Internet Movie Database
• Meet Neil
• Marseille's official website

Persondata
Name	Buchanan, Neil
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	11 October 1961
Place of birth	Aintree, Lancashire
Date of death
Place of death