Memories of East 17 opening Virgin Megastore in Watford

East 17 had 12 UK top-ten hits between 1992 and 1998, their biggest being the 1994 Christmas Number 1 Stay Another Day, and in October 1996 they visited the Harlequin Centre to open the new Virgin Megastore.

A Watford Observer photographer was in attendance to capture the scenes as fans of all ages waited for Brian Harvey, Tony Mortimer, John Hendy and Terry Coldwell to arrive, before signing autographs and posing for pictures after opening the shop.

Excitement builds... (Image: Watford Observer)

If you were one of those fans or can remember being in the shopping centre that day, take a look through the pictures on this page and you may spot yourself.

...but some fans were happy to wait patiently (Image: Watford Observer)

Plenty of people turned out to see the band. (Image: Watford Observer)

Something has caught the attention of Terry and Brian. (Image: Watford Observer)

Security helps keep the fans under control. (Image: Watford Observer)

Cameras at the ready... (Image: Watford Observer)

Tony chats to a younger fan (Image: Watford Observer)

The band signing autograph books and pictures. (Image: Watford Observer)

One fan asked for autographs of a more personal kind! (Image: Watford Observer)

A fan of the band at the opening. (Image: Watford Observer)

The shop opening took place on October 8, 1996 (Image: Watford Observer)

Terry appears to be asking John a question while he is signing a picture (Image: Wa)