Pet Shop Boys to pick up top honour at Brits

The Pet Shop Boys will collect the Outstanding Contribution To Music Award at next year’s Brit Awards, it was announced today.

Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe will be honoured with the award at the ceremony on February 18, the UK’s recorded music association, the BPI, said.

The pioneering dance duo, known for their chart-topping hits including 'West End Girls' and 'It’s A Sin', will perform live on the show at Earls Court.

Chairman of the Brits committee Ged Doherty said: “Since their first Brit Award over 20 years ago, Neil and Chris have produced a fantastic body of work with songs that truly were the soundtrack to a whole generation’s lives.

“The Pet Shop Boys have since become one of the most influential groups of the modern era and are deserving recipients of the award.”

With Tennant, 54, providing the main vocals, and Lowe, 49, on keyboards, the Pet Shop Boys have sold 50 million records since they signed to Parlophone in 1985.

They have had four number one singles and 22 top 10 hits.

Their first number one, 'West End Girls', released in 1986, topped the charts all over the world.

That single won them the first of their two previous Brits for Best British Single. In 1998 they picked up the Best British Group award.

They have also worked as producers or remixers with artists including Robbie Williams, Liza Minnelli, David Bowie, Madonna, Kylie, Yoko Ono and The Killers.

The Pet Shop Boys will join a list of previous winners including Paul McCartney, Oasis, U2, Paul Weller, Tom Jones, Sting, David Bowie, Eurythmics, The Beatles and The Who.