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The Banksy Story

<p>The story of Banksy's rise, the stunts, the culture and the story of how the work became so valuable.</p>

BBC Radio 4

Roll-up! Roll-up! The Banksy circus is coming to town... What happens when Banksy does one of his naughty drawings on the wall of your house? For Season 2 of The Banksy Story, super-fan James Peak investigates (even though he isn't an art critic, or a journalist). In the last episode of the season, Rod has some strong words for the man himself. Also, there's a mega-deal on the table. Will the Banksy sell for big bucks now it's off the wall and on the market? And will we finally find out what happened to Banksy's missing frying pan?Written, Produced & Presented by James Peak
Voices: Keith Wickham & Harriet Carmichael
Production Support: George Crowe
Music: Alcatraz Swim Team & Lilium
Street Art Consultancy and Investigative Support: Steph Warren
Series Mixing: Neil Churchill
Executive Producer: Philip Abrams
Commissioner: Dan Clarke
With special thanks to Hadrian Briggs, Pete Chinn, Rob Shiret, Rosie Bauer, Tracy Williams, Andy Voss & Noel Lewis. This series is dedicated to the memory of Duncan Crowe.An Essential Radio production for BBC Radio 4

5. Deal and No Deal

Roll-up! Roll-up! The Banksy circus is coming to town... What happens when Banksy does one of his naughty drawings on the wall of your house? For Season 2 of The Banksy Story, super-fan James Peak investigates (even though he isn't an art critic, or a journalist). In this episode, Rod tries to drum up support for a Banksy auction, and in Margate a scheme is hatched to fractionalise Valentine's Day Mascara. What could possibly go wrong? Also, Steph and James' hunt for Banksy's missing frying-pan leads to Pete 'the Street' Brown, the artist Banksy commissioned to capture the aftermath.Written, Produced & Presented by James Peak
Voices: Keith Wickham & Harriet Carmichael
Production Support: George Crowe
Music: Alcatraz Swim Team & Lilium
Street Art Consultancy and Investigative Support: Steph Warren
Series Mixing: Neil Churchill
Executive Producer: Philip Abrams
Commissioner: Dan Clarke
With special thanks to Hadrian Briggs, Pete Chinn, Rob Shiret, Rosie Bauer, Tracy Williams, Andy Voss & Noel LewisAn Essential Radio production for BBC Radio 4

4. Share and Shares Alike

Roll-up! Roll-up! The Banksy circus is coming to town... What happens when Banksy does one of his naughty drawings on the wall of your house? For Season 2 of The Banksy Story, super-fan James Peak investigates (even though he isn't an art critic, or a journalist). In this episode, both Banksys come off the wall so they can be preserved for posterity and perhaps sold on. But what do the legions of local people and art-fans think about this? Also, Steph and James go on the hunt for Banksy's missing frying-pan.Written, Produced & Presented by James Peak
Voices: Keith Wickham & Harriet Carmichael
Production Support: George Crowe
Music: Alcatraz Swim Team & Lilium
Street Art Consultancy and Investigative Support: Steph Warren
Series Mixing: Neil Churchill
Executive Producer: Philip Abrams
Commissioner: Dan Clarke
With special thanks to Hadrian Briggs, Pete Chinn, Rob Shiret, Rosie Bauer, Tracy Williams, Andy Voss & Noel LewisAn Essential Radio production for BBC Radio 4

3. Off the Wall

Roll-up! Roll-up! The Banksy circus is coming to town... What happens when Banksy does one of his naughty drawings on the wall of your house? For Season 2 of The Banksy Story, super-fan James Peak investigates (even though he isn't an art critic, or a journalist). In this episode, Gert in Lowestoft must deal with crowds, chancers and the Council after Banksy left a painting of a massive seagull on her end-of-terrace. And in Margate, Sam and Julian must react quickly if they are to stop Valentine's Day Mascara being spirited away by light-fingered opportunists and the Council's refuse department.Written, Produced & Presented by James Peak
Voices: Keith Wickham & Harriet Carmichael
Production Support: George Crowe
Music: Alcatraz Swim Team & Lilium
Street Art Consultancy and Investigative Support: Steph Warren
Series Mixing: Neil Churchill
Executive Producer: Philip Abrams
Commissioner: Dan Clarke
With special thanks to Hadrian Briggs, Pete Chinn, Rob Shiret, Rosie Bauer, Tracy Williams, Andy Voss & Noel LewisAn Essential Radio production for BBC Radio 4

2. Beside the Seaside

Roll-up! Roll-up! The Banksy circus is coming to town... What happens when Banksy does one of his naughty drawings on the wall of your house? For Season 2 of The Banksy Story, super-fan James Peak investigates (even though he isn't an art critic, or a journalist). In this episode, James visits Sam in Margate and Gert in Lowestoft. They have both been visited by Britain's favourite quality vandal. Banksy left freshly painted artworks on their properties overnight, like some kind of spray-can Santa Claus. But does this make the homeowners the lottery winners you might expect? Written, Produced & Presented by James Peak
Voices: Keith Wickham & Harriet Carmichael
Production Support: George Crowe
Music: Alcatraz Swim Team & Lilium
Street Art Consultancy and Investigative Support: Steph Warren
Series Mixing: Neil Churchill
Executive Producer: Philip Abrams
Commissioner: Dan Clarke
With special thanks to Hadrian Briggs, Pete Chinn, Rob Shiret, Rosie Bauer, Tracy Williams, Andy Voss & Noel Lewis.An Essential Radio production for BBC Radio 4

1. A Tale of Two Banksys

What happens when Banksy uses your wall as a canvas? James Peak investigates two pieces that appeared in Margate and Lowestoft, two years apart.

The Banksy Story presents: When Banksy Comes to Town

The Finsbury Park Tree is a new Banksy artwork which appeared overnight in March 2024 on the Hornsey Road in North London. James Peak investigates this exciting new Banksy street piece, a giant tree made of paint and.... ummm, a tree! Is this the first unnickable Banksy? Only time will tell...With thanks to Rob Shiret, Neil Churchill, Dan Clarke, Roger Mahony, Anna Mears, Philip Abrams, Jo Carr, Jonathan Glover, Steph Warren & Eddie, Avery Stone, Joe at LDN Graffiti and Patrick NguyenAssistant Produced by Ruby Churchill
Written, Produced and Presented by James Peak
An Essential Radio Production for BBC Radio 4

New Banksy Piece: Finsbury Park Tree

In this bonus episode James Peak is on the trail of a lost Banksy interview.

Bonus Episode

James Peak isn't an art critic, or even a journalist. He's a Banksy super-fan, and in this series he, and his soundman Duncan, get closer than close to Banksy's secret world, telling the story of the graffiti kid who made spraying walls into high art, the household name who is completely anonymous, the cultural phenomenon who bites the hand that feeds him. James persuades a member of Banksy's secret team – someone who worked closely with the artist when they were starting to cut through – to talk about the experience. The story that results is a rollercoaster ride...In the last episode of this series, Banksy springs a surprise retrospective show in Glasgow, and we hear why Steph told her story.Written, Produced and Presented by James Peak
Sound & Commentary: Duncan Crowe.
Voices: Keith Wickham & Harriet Carmichael
Music: Alcatraz Swim Team & Lilium
Series Mixing: Neil Churchill
Executive Producer: Philip Abrams
With special thanks to The Green Man Festival, Hadrian Briggs, Pete Chinn, Patrick Nguyen, John Higgs and Steph Warren.An Essential Radio production for BBC Radio 4

10. Who Is He?

James Peak isn't an art critic, or even a journalist. He's a Banksy super-fan, and in this series he, and his soundman Duncan, get closer than close to Banksy's secret world - telling the story of the graffiti kid who made spraying walls into high art, the household name who is completely anonymous, the cultural phenomenon who bites the hand that feeds him. James persuades a member of Banksy's secret team – someone who worked closely with the artist when they were starting to cut through – to talk about the experience. The story that results is a rollercoaster ride.In this episode, help arrives for Steph from an unlikely source - a person we've heard quite a lot from already. And we head off to Weston-super-mare for a very special Banksy show.Written, Produced and Presented by James Peak
Sound & Commentary: Duncan Crowe.
Voices: Keith Wickham & Harriet Carmichael
Music: Alcatraz Swim Team & Lilium
Series Mixing: Neil Churchill
Executive Producer: Philip Abrams
With special thanks to Farhath Siddiqui, Bryn Youlds, Hadrian Briggs, Pete Chinn, Patrick Nguyen, John Higgs and Steph Warren.An Essential Radio production for BBC Radio 4

9. Restoration

James Peak isn't an art critic, or even a journalist. He's a Banksy super-fan, and in this series he, and his soundman Duncan, get closer than close to Banksy's secret world - telling the story of the graffiti kid who made spraying walls into high art, the household name who is completely anonymous, the cultural phenomenon who bites the hand that feeds him. James persuades a member of Banksy's secret team – someone who worked closely with the artist when they were starting to cut through – to talk about the experience. The story that results is a rollercoaster ride.In this episode, Banksy returns to Bristol Museum in triumph, while Steph is accused of forgery.Written, Produced and Presented by James Peak
Sound & Commentary: Duncan Crowe.
Voices: Keith Wickham & Harriet Carmichael
Music: Alcatraz Swim Team & Lilium
Series Mixing: Neil Churchill
Executive Producer: Philip Abrams
With special thanks to Hadrian Briggs, Pete Chinn, Patrick Nguyen, John Higgs and Steph Warren.An Essential Radio production for BBC Radio 4

8. Brushed Under the Carpet

James Peak isn't an art critic, or even a journalist. He's a Banksy super-fan, and in this series he, and his soundman Duncan, get closer than close to Banksy's secret world - telling the story of the graffiti kid who made spraying walls into high art, the household name who is completely anonymous, the cultural phenomenon who bites the hand that feeds him. James persuades a member of Banksy's secret team – someone who worked closely with the artist when they were starting to cut through – to talk about the experience. The story that results is a rollercoaster ride.In this episode, a nightmare exhibition on Oxford Street sees Steph in big trouble with the big man. Written, Produced and Presented by James Peak
Sound & Commentary: Duncan Crowe.
Voices: Keith Wickham & Harriet Carmichael
Music: Alcatraz Swim Team & Lilium
Series Mixing: Neil Churchill
Executive Producer: Philip Abrams
With special thanks to Hadrian Briggs, Pete Chinn, Patrick Nguyen, John Higgs and Steph Warren.An Essential Radio production for BBC Radio 4

7. A Nightmare on Oxford Street

James Peak isn't an art critic, or even a journalist. He's a Banksy super-fan, and in this series he, and his soundman Duncan, get closer than close to Banksy's secret world - telling the story of the graffiti kid who made spraying walls into high art, the household name who is completely anonymous, the cultural phenomenon who bites the hand that feeds him. James persuades a member of Banksy's secret team – someone who worked closely with the artist when they were starting to cut through – to talk about the experience. The story that results is a rollercoaster ride.In this episode - a new show in LA, Barely Legal, brings in huge celebrity names and, back in the UK, Steph's life at Pictures on Walls gets trickier.Written, Produced and Presented by James Peak
Sound & Commentary: Duncan Crowe.
Voices: Keith Wickham & Harriet Carmichael
Music: Alcatraz Swim Team & Lilium
Series Mixing: Neil Churchill
Executive Producer: Philip Abrams
With special thanks to Hadrian Briggs, Pete Chinn, Patrick Nguyen, John Higgs and Steph Warren.An Essential Radio production for BBC Radio 4

6. LA Story

James Peak isn't an art critic, or even a journalist. He's a Banksy super-fan, and in this series he, and his soundman Duncan, get closer than close to Banksy's secret world - telling the story of the graffiti kid who made spraying walls into high art, the household name who is completely anonymous, the cultural phenomenon who bites the hand that feeds him. James persuades a member of Banksy's secret team – someone who worked closely with the artist when they were starting to cut through – to talk about the experience. The story that results is a rollercoaster ride.In this episode, Banksy's new show, Crude Oils, stars 200 live rats scuttling about the gallery floor. It certainly brings in the crowds.Written, Produced and Presented by James Peak
Sound & Commentary: Duncan Crowe.
Voices: Keith Wickham & Harriet Carmichael
Music: Alcatraz Swim Team & Lilium
Series Mixing: Neil Churchill
Executive Producer: Philip Abrams
With special thanks to Hadrian Briggs, Pete Chinn, Patrick Nguyen, John Higgs and Steph Warren.An Essential Radio production for BBC Radio 4

5. Crude Oils

James Peak isn't an art critic, or even a journalist. He's a Banksy super-fan, and in this series he, and his soundman Duncan, get closer than close to Banksy's secret world - telling the story of the graffiti kid who made spraying walls into high art, the household name who is completely anonymous, the cultural phenomenon who bites the hand that feeds him. James persuades a member of Banksy's secret team – someone who worked closely with the artist when they were starting to cut through – to talk about the experience. The story that results is a rollercoaster ride.In this episode, Banksy's hilarious reverse heists at the world's best museums and galleries gain him some serious notoriety.Written, Produced and Presented by James Peak
Sound & Commentary: Duncan Crowe.
Voices: Keith Wickham & Harriet Carmichael
Music: Alcatraz Swim Team & Lilium
Series Mixing: Neil Churchill
Executive Producer: Philip Abrams
With special thanks to Hadrian Briggs, Pete Chinn, Patrick Nguyen, John Higgs and Steph Warren.An Essential Radio production for BBC Radio 4

4. Reverse Heists

James Peak isn't an art critic, or even a journalist. He's a Banksy super-fan, and in this series he, and his soundman Duncan, get closer than close to Banksy's secret world - telling the story of the graffiti kid who made spraying walls into high art, the household name who is completely anonymous, the cultural phenomenon who bites the hand that feeds him. James persuades a member of Banksy's secret team – someone who worked closely with the artist when they were starting to cut through – to talk about the experience. The story that results is a rollercoaster rideIn this episode, an incident at the Christmas Santa's Ghetto exhibition helps Steph prove herself to Banksy.Written, Produced and Presented by James Peak
Sound & Commentary: Duncan Crowe.
Voices: Keith Wickham & Harriet Carmichael
Music: Alcatraz Swim Team & Lilium
Series Mixing: Neil Churchill
Executive Producer: Philip Abrams
With special thanks to Hadrian Briggs, Pete Chinn, Patrick Nguyen, John Higgs and Steph Warren.An Essential Radio production for BBC Radio 4

3. Santa's Ghetto

James Peak isn't an art critic, or even a journalist. He's a Banksy super-fan, and in this series he, and his soundman Duncan, get closer than close to Banksy's secret world - telling the story of the graffiti kid who made spraying walls into high art, the household name who is completely anonymous, the cultural phenomenon who bites the hand that feeds him. James persuades a member of Banksy's secret team – someone who worked closely with the artist when they were starting to cut through – to talk about the experience. The story that results is a rollercoaster ride.In this episode, James finds someone from Banksy's secret team, but will they talk?Written, Produced and Presented by James Peak
Sound & Commentary: Duncan Crowe.
Voices: Keith Wickham & Harriet Carmichael
Music: Alcatraz Swim Team & Lilium
Series Mixing: Neil Churchill
Executive Producer: Philip Abrams
With special thanks to Hadrian Briggs, Pete Chinn, Patrick Nguyen, John Higgs and Steph Warren.An Essential Radio production for BBC Radio 4

2. Love & Death & BMX

James Peak isn't an art critic, or even a journalist. He's a Banksy super-fan, and in this series he, and his soundman Duncan, get closer than close to Banksy's secret world - telling the story of the graffiti kid who made spraying walls into high art, the household name who is completely anonymous, the cultural phenomenon who bites the hand that feeds him. James persuades a member of Banksy's secret team – someone who worked closely with the artist when they were starting to cut through – to talk about the experience. The story that results is a rollercoaster ride.In this episode, how did the city of Bristol, in the south west of England, help to shape Banksy and his art? And will James and Duncan find the person they're looking for?Written, Produced and Presented by James Peak
Sound & Commentary: Duncan Crowe.
Voices: Keith Wickham & Harriet Carmichael
Music: Alcatraz Swim Team & Lilium
Series Mixing: Neil Churchill
Executive Producer: Philip Abrams
With special thanks to Hadrian Briggs, Pete Chinn, Patrick Nguyen, John Higgs and Steph Warren.An Essential Radio production for BBC Radio 4

1. The Mild, Mild West

James Peak isn't an art critic, or even a journalist. He's a Banksy super-fan, and in this series he gets closer than close to Banksy's secret world to tell the story of the graffiti kid who made spraying walls into high art, the anonymous figure who became a household name, the cultural phenomenon who bites the hand that feeds him.Written, Produced and Presented by James Peak
Sound & Commentary: Duncan Crowe.
Music: Alcatraz Swim Team & Lilium
Series Mixing: Neil Churchill
Executive Producer: Philip Abrams
With special thanks to Hadrian Briggs, Pete Chinn, Keith Wickham, Harriet Carmichael, Patrick Nguyen, John Higgs and Steph Warren