Has Massive Goldie gaffe identified his pal Banksy?

Put Banksy on a T-shirt and we can sell it – no disrespect to Robert GOLDIE SEEMS TO REVEAL IDENTITY OF STREET ARTIST

THE identity of graffiti artist Banksy may have been revealed by accident by his musician pal Goldie. The drum and bass star referred to the elusive street artist – who has never publicly revealed his real name – as Robert in an interview. It is thought to be confirmation that Banksy is Robert Del Naja, a member of the band Massive Attack. Goldie’s slip-up came in an interview on a podcast with poet Scroobius Pip, which aired on Tuesday. In it, Goldie spoke about how Banksy, whose works can fetch £1million, has transformed the art scene. Goldie said: “Give me a bubble letter and put it on a T-shirt and write Banksy on it and we’re sorted. We can sell it now. “No disrespect to Robert, I think he is a brilliant artist. I think he has flipped the world of art over.” Bristol singer Del Naja – also known as 3D – is a friend of Goldie’s and the pair were both graffiti artists in the 1980s. Last year, a researcher claimed that Del Naja is Banksy, which he denied. But listeners said Goldie’s gaffe is further proof of Banksy’s identity. One fan said: “They were talking about Banksy and then he referred to him as Robert and I put two and two together. I’m just a random listener but I’ve heard the rumours. It made my ears prick up.” Actor and DJ Goldie, 51, and Del Naja, 52, have long-standing links. They both took part in the largest-ever British graffiti art battle in the 1980s. Last year, journalist Craig Williams carried out a five-month probe and concluded that Banksy is actually a team of street artists led by Del Naja. He discovered that on at least six occasions, Banksy’s work appeared around the same time Massive Attack gigs took place in an area. Last year, Del Naja – who formed the trip hop hit-makers in 1988 – denied the rumours. He said: “It would be a good story but sadly not true. Wishful thinking, I think. He is a mate, he’s been to some of the gigs. It’s purely a matter of logistics and coincidence.” Del Naja features in Banksy’s Exit Through The Gift Shop film, speaking about the pair’s friendship. And Banksy provides the foreword to Del Naja’s book 3D And The Art Of Massive Attack.

STAR REVEALED Banksy’s EU work. Inset, Goldie DEL OF A CLAIM Robert Del Naja sings on stage