Thousands of people walked from the Arsenal Emirates stadium through the streets of Islington, North London, this morning in tribute to Dainton Connell, a.k.a. “The Bear”. In a remarkable scene, more like a state funeral than a private internment, Holloway Road was closed by the police to allow the procession to take place. Then mourners including Chris Lowe, Neil Tennant, ex-Arsenal footballers Ian Wright and Lee Dixon, Little Britain stars Matt Lucas and David Walliams, boxer Frank Bruno, journalist and broadcaster Janet Street-Porter, artist Sam Taylor-Wood, singer Sylvia Mason-James, and hundreds of friends and Arsenal supporters joined Dainton’s wife and family for the funeral service at St Mary Magdalane Church conducted by three vicars, including the priest who married Dainton and his wife Mandy 31 years ago. Past and present PSB managers David Dorrell, Mitch Clark and Jill Carrington were also present, along with members of the Lowe and Tennant families. Chris Lowe read from The Bible (Revelation 21: 1–7) as part of the service. The service was broadcast via speakers to a huge crowd standing outside the church in bright sunshine.
We would like, once again, to thank all fans and friends who have sent messages of condolence and flowers. Further reports of the funeral can be found at the links below.
Farewell to The Bear
To celebrate today’s vinyl reissue of Pet Shop Boys’ “Discography”, two fans from the unofficial PSB “In Depth” podcast series are discussing in detail all 18 songs featured on the compilation. The first part of the podcast is out now at the links below, with part two to follow next week.
Recent News
Pet Shop Boys’ “Discography” is reissued on vinyl for the first time since its original release in 1991.
Produced by Pet Shop Boys in 2008, the Gui Boratto mix of Sam Taylor-Wood’s “I’m In Love With A German Film Star” is part of the new “Kompakt 500” compilation, which is released today.
Pet Shop Boys will be headlining one of the stages at the Way Out West Festival in Gothenburg, Sweden, with a “Dreamworld” show on Saturday, August 9th 2025.
Pet Shop Boys are happy to reveal two new remixes for Tina Turner and The Hidden Cameras, both of which are released digitally today and available to hear now at the links below. Also Mark Springer’s new album “Sleep of Reason”, which includes a collaboration with Neil Tennant, is out now (see news story above).
Composer Mark Springer’s new album, “Sleep of Reason”, which includes a collaboration with Neil Tennant, is out now and available on double vinyl, CD and digitally at the link below.
Due to circumstances outside of our control, we regret that the forthcoming release of the Dreamworld: The Greatest Hits Live in Copenhagen Blu-ray/CD has to be postponed until August 1.
Pet Shop Boys can announce a new UK summer tour date. On Thursday, August 14th they will be performing in the grounds of the Sandringham Estate with very special guests, Scissor Sisters.