We are very sad to report that Pet Shop Boys’ friend and collaborator, Eric Watson, has died. Eric was a brilliant photographer who worked extensively for “Smash Hits” magazine in the first half of the 80s and took the first shots of Pet Shop Boys in 1983. Over the next few years he photographed Neil and Chris many times, including the covers for the single releases of “Opportunities”, “West End girls”, “Love comes quickly”, “Please”, “Suburbia”, “It’s a sin”, “What have I done to deserve this?”, “Rent”, “Heart”, “It’s alright”, “So hard”, “Jealousy” and “DJ culture” and the album covers of “Please” and “Behaviour”. In 1999 he returned to photograph Neil and Chris for the cover of the single, “I don’t know what you want but I can’t give it anymore” and the CD booklet of the “Nightlife” album. Eric also directed many classic PSB videos, including “West End girls”, “Suburbia”, “Domino dancing” and “DJ culture”. When Pet Shop Boys first recorded “West End girls” with Bobby ‘O’ in 1983, Eric played it to an A&R man at Epic Records who then signed it, resulting in Pet Shop Boys’ first single being released.
Aside from his work with Pet Shop Boys, Eric created images and videos for many other pop artists and his landscape photographs were exhibited at the Blue Gallery in London in 1997. His work was also included in the exhibition “Icons Of Pop” at the National Portrait Gallery in London and a selection of his photographs of Pet Shop Boys was exhibited in the same gallery to coincide with the publication of the book, “Catalogue”.
Originating from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Eric moved to London in the early 70s and studied at Hornsey College of Art. In recent years he taught photography. He will be much missed by his family, friends, students and all those who appreciated his work
He’s 66 today. Happy Birthday, Chris!
Photo: Tate Modern
Recent News
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.
Soundtrack composer Bryce Miller has created a stunning new mix of “It’s a sin” for the trailer of “Monster: The Ed Gein Story”.
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.
Pet Shop Boys have arrived in Spain and are looking forward to their first summer show at Icónica Santalucía Festival in Seville today!