Art Attack Host Neil Buchanan: What Happened Next

For anyone who grew up in the UK during the 1990s, sitting down to watch Art Attack on CITV after school was a creative ritual — the show turned kitchen roll tubes and washing-up liquid into art, defining a generation’s understanding of making something from nothing. Hosted by the energetic Neil Buchanan for all 18 series, the programme ended in 2007, and this article explores why, what happened next, and why it remains so beloved.

Original run: 1990–2007 ·
Number of series: 18 ·
Host: Neil Buchanan ·
Network: CITV

Six key facts about the show that defined children’s television for a generation.

Who is the guy in Art Attack?

Neil Buchanan’s early life and career

Neil Buchanan got his start in entertainment not as a presenter but as a musician. He played in several bands before finding his way into children’s television, first appearing on shows like Game, Set and Match. His big break came when he co-created Art Attack with Tim Edmunds, bringing a knack for performance and a genuine love for art to the screen (iNews profile).

How Neil Buchanan became the host of Art Attack

The role came naturally: Buchanan already had the idea for the show and was its natural presenter. From 1990 to 2007, he was the sole face of Art Attack on CITV, guiding viewers through daily art projects with a warm, energetic style that felt like a friend teaching you how to make something cool (Wikipedia entry for Art Attack). The show’s format — simple instructions, everyday materials, and a final “Big Art Attack” — became a staple of after-school programming.

Neil Buchanan’s net worth and personal life

Neil Buchanan’s net worth is not publicly disclosed. What is known is that he kept a relatively low profile after Art Attack ended, living in the UK and focusing on his art and music. The BBC reported in 2020 that he planned to launch a new art collection after lockdown, signalling that creative projects remained at the centre of his life.

What happened to the Art Attack guy?

The end of Art Attack in 2007

When Art Attack ended in 2007, it wasn’t a dramatic cancellation — it was a commercial decision. ITV had already announced the closure of its in-house children’s production unit in June 2006, implementing a commissioning freeze that affected several CITV shows (Wikipedia). Digital Spy reported that ITV said further investment in the children’s channel “did not make commercial sense” (Digital Spy report). The show concluded after 18 series and 300+ episodes, with the final broadcast on 27 July 2007.

Neil Buchanan’s post-Art Attack music career

After Art Attack, Buchanan returned to music. He had always been a guitarist and songwriter, and his band, initially formed during his TV years, became a more central focus. He also turned to fine art, creating paintings and illustrations. The BBC noted that Buchanan had been working on a new art collection set for a 2021 release, which he described as a response to the lockdown period.

Has Neil Buchanan returned to television?

Buchanan has not returned to television in a regular presenting role. The Art Attack format was revived on Disney Junior from 2012 to 2015, but with new host Lloyd Warbey, not Buchanan. When asked, Buchanan has said he values his privacy and enjoys working behind the scenes on his art. There are no confirmed reports of a television return (iNews interview).

Why was Art Attack cancelled?

Declining ratings and format changes

The show’s cancellation in 2007 was part of a wider trend: ITV was reducing its investment in children’s programming. The broadcaster had merged CITV with the main channel and cut its weekend hours, which reduced the audience for shows like Art Attack (Digital Spy). The show’s 18-year run had enjoyed strong ratings, but the economics of children’s television were shifting. As ITV’s in-house production unit was closed, the show’s producer, The Media Merchants, lost its primary commissioning partner (Wikipedia on Art Attack’s production).

Neil Buchanan’s departure

By 2007, Buchanan had already been the show’s host for 17 years. He had also co-created the show and was deeply involved in its production. When ITV announced its commissioning freeze, Buchanan reportedly decided it was a natural time to move on. The show ended not because it was unpopular, but because the commissioning environment had changed (Digital Spy).

The shift in children’s television programming

The cancellation of Art Attack reflected a broader shift in children’s TV. BBC and ITV were both reducing their obligations to produce in-house children’s content, while digital channels and streaming services were emerging. CITV’s reduced weekend hours were a symptom of this decline (Digital Spy report on CITV’s reduced hours). The show’s cancellation was thus a commercial decision, not a creative one.

Why was Art Attack so popular?

The appeal of simple art projects

The show’s core premise was genius in its simplicity: take everyday objects — newspaper, glue, cardboard tubes, paint — and turn them into something recognisable. A giraffe made from a cereal box. A castle from kitchen towel rolls. The projects were achievable for children without expensive materials, which made the show accessible to any household (BBC report on Art Attack’s legacy).

Neil Buchanan’s engaging presentation

Buchanan’s on-screen persona was key to the show’s success. He spoke directly to the camera as if talking to one child at home, not a studio audience. His enthusiasm was genuine — he clearly enjoyed making the projects himself. The show’s pace was slow enough to follow but fast enough not to bore (iNews retrospective).

The Big Art Attacks segments

The “Big Art Attacks” were a highlight. Each episode ended with Buchanan creating a massive artwork on a street or a field using chalk, tape, or found objects, filmed from above so the whole image came together. These segments were visually impressive and gave the show a sense of scale that set it apart from other art programmes (Wikipedia on Big Art Attacks).

Nostalgia for 90s children’s TV

Today, Art Attack enjoys a cult status among adults who grew up with it. The show’s mix of simplicity and creativity stands in contrast to the more polished, CGI-heavy children’s content of today. For many, Buchanan’s voice and the show’s theme tune are instant nostalgia triggers (Hull Daily Mail nostalgia piece).

The pattern: Accessible materials, a relatable host, and spectacular set-pieces created a formula that still resonates decades later.

What age group is Art Attack aimed at?

Target age range

Art Attack was aimed at primary school children, approximately ages 5 to 12. The projects were simple enough for a five-year-old to attempt with help, while the Big Art Attacks appealed to older children and even adults. The show’s educational value was recognised with three BAFTA awards (Digital Spy on BAFTAs).

Educational value

The show taught basic art techniques — drawing, painting, collage, sculpture — without being didactic. Each project introduced a concept (symmetry, texture, perspective) through demonstration rather than explanation. The show also promoted problem-solving: when a project didn’t work, Buchanan would show how to fix it (Wikipedia on educational content).

Why it remains popular with adults

For adults who grew up with Art Attack, the show represents a specific time in childhood when making things felt magical. The show’s format — no digital effects, just glue and paper — feels authentic in an era of curated social media content. The BBC noted that the show’s legacy is particularly strong among millennials who now share clips with their own children.

The consequence: Art Attack’s respectful approach created a multi-generational fanbase that still engages with the show today.

Timeline: Art Attack 1990–2007

Four key moments that defined the show’s arc, from its debut to its quiet conclusion.

The implication: From a 1990 debut to a 2007 close, the show’s arc mirrors the rise and fall of ITV’s commitment to children’s programming.

Confirmed facts and what remains unclear

Separating what we know for certain from the lingering questions.

The pattern: Most core facts are settled, but gaps remain around Buchanan’s personal finances and the precise details of ITV’s decision-making.

Quotes and perspectives

“Art Attack is a British children’s television programme revolving around art, originally hosted by Neil Buchanan on CITV from 1990 to 2007.”

Wikipedia

“ITV’s decision to axe the long-running children’s show was based on the fact that further investment in the children’s channel did not make commercial sense.”

Digital Spy

The show’s legacy is best captured by the fact that it still inspires nostalgia. As one commenter on a YouTube retrospective put it: “This show made me believe I could be an artist. And for a few hours every week, I was.”

Frequently asked questions

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For anyone wondering what became of Neil Buchanan, the answer is less dramatic than internet rumours suggest: he returned to the art and music he always loved, leaving behind a show that made a generation believe they could make something beautiful from a cardboard box.