Surely the latest Banksy is a big set-up?

[MotherofOne]

Don't get me wrong, I like Banksy's work and I think s/he does a good job of highlighting certain topical issues.
The latest is two reindeer flying off from a bench with a (real) homeless man on it:
www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/50725628

However surely I can't be the only one who is a bit ?

Firstly, I don't believe that is a genuinely homeless man, although they're giving that impression and the media are reporting it as such.
(Note, however, how some news reports say the publicist refused to answer the question about this).

Secondly, surely the 'vandal' who has added red noses is in on the whole thing, and this is part of the 'game' to keep the story current?

It's clever, for sure, but I think people need to realise they're being played before they post 'oh look how cute it is that Banksy has included a homeless man in his latest painting' ?

If Banksy or his spokesperson aren't claiming it's a real homeless person then I don't think it matters if they aren't, the media will say whatever they like about it (or anything else) anyway if it's more likely to sell papers - I think most people with common sense don't automatically believe what they read in the papers.