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
Pet Shop Boys today release Bryce Miller’s mix of “It’s a sin”, which previously featured in the trailer for the Netflix show, “Monster: The Ed Gein Story”. The song is now available to stream and a visualiser video is available to watch on YouTube.
Recent News
Soundtrack composer Bryce Miller has created a stunning new mix of “It’s a sin” for the trailer of “Monster: The Ed Gein Story”.
Pet Shop Boys are pleased to announce two more “Dreamworld” 2026 dates in Japan. On Tuesday, 6th January, they will perform at the Tokyo Garden Theater, and on Friday, 9th January, at Kobe’s World Memorial Hall.
Pet Shop Boys are happy to announce their first “Dreamworld” UK headline show for the coming year at Lytham Festival on Saturday, July 4 2026.
To mark the centenary of Sergei Eisenstein’s legendary silent film, “Battleship Potemkin”, a restored version made by Deutsche Kinemathek, featuring the celebrated score by Tennant and Lowe of Pet Shop Boys, will be released for the first time in cinemas and on a two-disc Blu-ray and CD package by the BFI.
Pet Shop Boys are happy to reveal a special signed and numbered seven-inch vinyl of “Hymn (In memoriam Alexei Navalny)”, which is released today.
New PSB merchandise, including a “Dreamworld” T‑shirt and bum bag, as well as a “Nonetheless” fan made from bamboo and fabric, is now available in the official Pet Shop Boys store.