Builder Denies Banksy Identity Rumors

A North London builder has forcefully denied persistent rumors that he is the enigmatic street artist Banksy, following the resurfacing of photographs that sparked the speculation two years ago. George Georgiou, 69, was captured on camera in March 2024 installing protective Perspex around one of Banksy's murals on Hornsey Road near Finsbury Park, leading social media users to note his resemblance to a 2008 image of suspected artist Robin Gunningham.

Georgiou, a semiretired builder from a Greek family born and raised in London, explained that he was simply performing maintenance on a building owned by his sons, Alex and Anthony, who operate a letting agency nearby. The mural, depicting green paint drips forming a tree canopy on a chopped-back tree, appeared overnight on March 18, 2024, and was quickly vandalized with white paint. Georgiou's task was to safeguard the artwork, but the image went viral, fueling claims of his involvement as Banksy.

In recent interviews, Georgiou expressed frustration over the ongoing harassment, describing it as "really annoying, ridiculous and disturbing." He dismissed the speculation with a direct message to those spreading it: "Grow up. Get a...