The Banksy Story

Latest Episodes:

5. Deal and No Deal Apr 05, 2025

Show notes

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

4. Share and Shares Alike Apr 05, 2025

Show notes

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.

An Essential Radio production for BBC Radio 4

3. Off the Wall Apr 05, 2025

Show notes

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.

An Essential Radio production for BBC Radio 4

2. Beside the Seaside Apr 05, 2025

Show notes

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.

An Essential Radio production for BBC Radio 4

1. A Tale of Two Banksys Apr 05, 2025

Show notes

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?

An Essential Radio production for BBC Radio 4

The Banksy Story presents: When Banksy Comes to Town Apr 01, 2025

Show notes

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

New Banksy Piece: Finsbury Park Tree Mar 18, 2024

Show notes

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 Nguyen

Assistant Produced by Ruby Churchill Written, Produced and Presented by James Peak An Essential Radio Production for BBC Radio 4

Bonus Episode Nov 20, 2023

Show notes

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

10. Who Is He? Aug 21, 2023

Show notes

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

9. Restoration Aug 18, 2023

Show notes

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