Neil Tennant
Known for Acting · 52 credits
- Born
- 1954-07-10 (age 71)
- Place of birth
- North Shields, Northumberland, England, UK
- Also known as
- Pet Shop Boys
Biography
Neil Francis Tennant (born 10 July 1954) is an English singer, songwriter and music journalist, and co-founder of the synth-pop duo the Pet Shop Boys, which he formed with Chris Lowe in 1981. He was a journalist for Smash Hits, and assistant editor for the magazine in the mid-1980s.
Tennant coined the phrase imperial phase to describe the period in which a musical artist is regarded to be at their commercial and creative peak simultaneously. This observation was initially self-referential, made as the Pet Shop Boys had achieved commercial success with four British number one hits ("West End Girls", "It's a Sin", "Heart", and "Always on My Mind"), had received critical praise for their first three albums and had expanded their creative horizons through innovative collaborations in the visual and performing arts.
Neil Francis Tennant was born in the town of North Shields, approximately 8 miles east of Newcastle upon Tyne, to William W. Tennant (1923–2009), a sales representative, and Sheila M. (Watson) Tennant (1923–2008). He has an older sister, Susan, and two younger brothers, Simon and Philip. The family moved to Greenfield Road (opposite the corner of South Bend), Brunton Park, Gosforth shortly after Neil was born.
Tennant attended St Cuthbert's Grammar School, an all-boys' Catholic school in Newcastle upon Tyne. His songs "This Must Be the Place I Waited Years to Leave" and "It's a Sin" refer to his early life in Catholic school and the strict upbringing there.
As a child, Tennant taught himself to play guitar and piano and started writing songs. He also played cello in school. During his teenage years, he played in a folk music group named Dust, who were heavily influenced by The Incredible String Band. Tennant wrote several of their songs including "Can You Hear the Dawn Break?", which he regards as his first 'proper' song. He was also a member of the youth theatre at the People's Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Known For
TV Shows (12)
The Graham Norton Show
2007
as Self - Pet Shop Boys
Champs-Elysées
1982
as Self - Pet Shop Boys
MTV Video Music Awards
1984
as Self - Pet Shop Boys
Sacrée soirée
1987
as Self - Pet Shop Boys
An Audience with...
1978
as Self - Pet Shop Boys
Parkinson
1998
as Self
MTV Europe Music Awards
1994
as Self - Pet Shop Boys - Performer
Kate Garraway's Life Stories
2009
as Self
The BRIT Awards
1977
as Self
BBC Radio 2 Piano Room
as Self - Pet Shop Boys
London 2012 Olympic Games
2012
as Self - Pet Shop Boys
TFI Unplugged
2026
as Self (Archive Footage)
Movies (40)
Live 8
2005
as Self - Pet Shop Boys
An Audience with Elton John
1997
as Self - Pet Shop Boys
The World According to Allee Willis
2024
as Self - Pet Shop Boys
How to Be Absolutely Fabulous
1995
as Self
60 Songs: BBC Two at 60
2024
as Self (archive footage)
Wham!: Last Christmas Unwrapped
2024
as Self
It Couldn't Happen Here
1988
as Self
Imagine… Pet Shop Boys: Then and Now
2024
as Self - Interviewee
Dusty
1994
as Self
New Order Story
1993
as Self
Oscar
1997
as Self
Pet Shop Boys Smash The Videos 1985 - 2020
2023
as Self
Pet Shop Boys: Live @ Primavera Sound 2023
2023
as Self
Pet Shop Boys: Rock in Rio 2017
2017
as Self
Pet Shop Boys - BBC Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park
2019
as Self
Projections
1993
as Self
Synth Britannia
2009
as Self
Pet Shop Boys Dreamworld: The Greatest Hits Live at the Royal Arena Copenhagen
2024
as Self
Suede - Live at the Roundhouse 1996
1996
as Self
Back To The 80's - Live In Concert
2004
as Self (archive footage)
Pet Shop Boys: Somewhere
1997
as Self
Pet Shop Boys: Cubism
2007
as Self
Pet Shop Boys: Inner Sanctum 2018
2019
as Self
Pet Shop Boys: A New Bohemia
2024
Pet Shop Boys: A Life in Pop
2006
as Self
Pet Shop Boys: Pandemonium
2010
as Self
Electronic Beats Festival Berlin 2012 - Pet Shop Boys
2012
as Self
Pet Shop Boys: Performance
1991
as Self
Pet Shop Boys: Discovery (Live in Rio)
1995
as Self
Pet Shop Boys at the BBC
2023
as Self
Pet Shop Boys: Live at Roskilde Festival 2009
2009
as Self
Pet Shop Boys - Live Isle Of Wight 2024
2024
Discovery: Live in Rio 1994
2021
as Self
The Big New Years & Years Eve Party with Kylie and Pet Shop Boys
2021
as Self
Pet Shop Boys: Montage - The Nightlife Tour
2001
as Self
Pet Shop Boys - Highlights On Tour
1990
as Self
Radio 2 in the Park: Pet Shop Boys
2024
as Self
Pet Shop Boys: Pop Art - The Videos
2004
as Self
Pet Shop Boys: Electric
2014
as Self
Pet Shop Boys: Television
1986
as Self (archive footage)
About Neil Tennant
Neil Francis Tennant (born 10 July 1954) is an English singer, songwriter and music journalist, and co-founder of the synth-pop duo the Pet Shop Boys, which he formed with Chris Lowe in 1981. He was a journalist for Smash Hits, and assistant editor for the magazine in the mid-1980s. Tennant coined the phrase imperial phase to describe the period in which a musical artist is regarded to be at their commercial and creative peak simultaneously. This observation was initially self-referential, made as the Pet Shop Boys had achieved commercial succ… With 52 credits spanning from 1977 to 2026, Neil Tennant has appeared in 40 films and 12 TV shows.
Fans searching for Neil Tennant movies, Neil Tennant filmography, or the latest projects starring Neil Tennant can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Neil Tennant Movies
- Live 8 (2005) — as Self - Pet Shop Boys
- An Audience with Elton John (1997) — as Self - Pet Shop Boys
- The World According to Allee Willis (2024) — as Self - Pet Shop Boys
- How to Be Absolutely Fabulous (1995) — as Self
- 60 Songs: BBC Two at 60 (2024) — as Self (archive footage)
Where to Watch Neil Tennant Films
Most Neil Tennant movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Neil Tennant, check our movies catalogue and browse page.