Is this Banksy? Rare ITV footage from 2003 could reveal street artist's identity

Banksy’s identity may have been revealed thanks to rediscovered archive footage from a 2003 interview.

A man claiming to be the secretive street artist was filmed with his face partially covered, as part of an ITV news report on his breakthrough exhibition Turf War.

The exhibition was the first major show from Banksy, and with its location only revealed a day before it opened. Held in a warehouse on Kingsland Road in East London, it featured a live animals and vandalised classic oil paintings.

In the footage, he is seen wearing a baseball cap as he is interviewed on camera by ITV News correspondent Haig Gordon. Standing in front of a graffiti-covered cows and an old police van, the man has a discussion with Gordon about his work and identity.

Archive Banksy Interview unearthed - In pictures

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“You can’t really be a graffiti writer and then go public. The two things don’t quite go together,” the man claiming to be Banksy says.

Gordon then asks him, “You don’t mind if I pass your details on to the police?”

He responds, “No - what details have you got?”

Gordon replies: “I know your real name.”

Banksy - In pictures

New Banksy artworks
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The footage aired on ITV in 2003 when it was filmed, but was then forgotten about until ITV News reporter Robert Murphy found it when he was carrying out research on Banksy.

Banksy’s real identity has been the subject of speculation for many years, and theories continue to abound as to who the elusive street artist could be.

He recently revealed on his Instagram account that he had designed the Union Jack stab vest that Stormzy wore for his headline performance at Glastonbury.

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