People watching lovely boy (7-2)

I believe the answer is:

lookers-on

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'people' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are plural nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'watching lovely boy' is the wordplay.
'watching lovely' becomes 'looker' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'boy' becomes 'son' (male child).
'looker'+'son'='LOOKERS-ON'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for lookers-on that I've seen is " Witnesses".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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