1986

BPI awards a U.K. gold record to Please.

1995

The Various video collection is released.

1996

George Michael visits with the Pet Shop Boys at Sarm West studio and plays them some tracks from his upcoming album, Older.

2004

Chris and Neil perform a charity concert at the Camden Barfly in London. Dubbed ‘Two Men and a Powerbook,’ it’s their first full show with no other musicians accompanying them either onstage or backstage.

2009

They take part in a public Q&A session hosted by the Popjustice website at London’s Institute of Contemporary Arts.

2011

Comedian David Walliams completes a 24-hour marathon live stunt for the Comic Relief charity, during which he serves as the host for a series of recreations of classic TV game shows with various celebrity guests. The last of them, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, includes Neil Tennant among the guest panelists. It proves to be a very ‘charitable’ day for Neil, as he later attends the Winter Carnival at The Ivy private club to benefit the Albert Kennedy Trust (AKT), a charity that supports homeless LGBT youth. The Pet Shop Boys donate a limited-edition vinyl copy of PopArt signed by both Neil and Chris, which is among the many items auctioned off to raise funds.

There is a better fight
A cause close to my heart
A struggle against loneliness
that’s tearing you apart

Where you gonna run to now
from loneliness?
Who you gonna turn to
out of loneliness?

Like Ringo walking by the canal
downcast and alone
You’re taking time to play that part
A man who skims a stone

Where you gonna run to now
from loneliness?
Who you gonna turn to
out of loneliness?

When you gonna not say no
and make the answer yes?
Who is here to help you out?
Oh tell me – Can’t you guess?

…