“The worlds first ever event for fans of The L Word”, was how the convention organizer Sean Harry of Starfury described this weekends extravaganza. And, how right he was! Can you imagine? A convention organized for fans of a television show based on the lives of lesbians?!

This long overdue and hugely anticipated celebration kicked off on Friday night with the opening ceremony. Convention attendees were thrilled as guests were introduced one at a time, until the very end, when the surprise of the weekend was tantalizingly unveiled.

The "Master of Ceremonies" was Neil Roberts, best remembered for his role as the Big Bad in the first series of Charmed. Neil's job was to build the excitement, and tension that was already rippling through the packed crowd, and then introduce each cast member, all of which he accomplished with his usual aplomb.

Anne Ramsay, who was the picture of “Hollywood cool, " came on stage first, wearing a sexy calf length brown leather jacket, exclaiming "It's great to be here!" and telling the crowd that once upon a time when she was a student, she spent a summer in London working at the famous local bar, Liberties. She charmed all her English fans, when she smiled with nostalgia, saying she remembered not wanting to go back home at the end of that summer.(On a personal note, can I just say that if Hollywood ever decides to have a “Queer Eye for the Lesbian”, I want Anne Ramsay to be the fashion consultant! That woman has style!)

Next up to make her appearance to the crowds was the beautiful Meredith McGeachie, who was introduced as, "The woman who did terrible things to Erin Daniels pussy", which was greeted with resounding boo's and hisses from the audience, as well as the expected laughter. Once out on stage however, she received rapturous applause, and seemed visibly relieved. "I am really excited to be here, and I am nothing like Tonya," she reassured us all, and which we would all discover to be true during the weekend. She is very thoughtful, funny, smart, and nothing like the overly insecure Tonya.

Despite fears that Eric Mabius might not receive the same warm welcome that the other cast members did, Eric had a tremendous welcome. Eric advised us all that he wasn't sure what to expect from the convention, but that he didn't plan on sleeping much, which was certainly the truth on Friday night! He was a very good sport, hanging out with fans until the wee hours of the morning.

Lastly (or so the audience thought) Rachel Shelly was introduced, being described as "classy." Over the course of the weekend she proved she was not only classy but so much more. After receiving the loudest cheer up to that point, Rachel welcomed us all to London, and hoped we had a great weekend. How wonderful it was to welcome The L Words version of the “British Invasion” back home!

After all the applause had died down, a certain hush came over the crowd. There was a rumor flying around that a mystery quest had arrived, so the fans were all speculating who it could be, the room tingling with anticipation. And Neil, in true showman style wrung out the drama for all it was worth.

Neil started his round up by saying "I know a lot of you were very disappointed when Laurel Holloman said she couldn't come, but we do have a fantastic line up without her,” which was greeting by polite if disappointed applause. "However,” he continued, “I do have a couple of questions.  If Laurel were here...if she had come, how do you think you would feel?  If she had come, you would be pretty excited wouldn't you?  If she had managed to change her schedule at the last minute, and had managed to come here, that would be pretty amazing wouldn't it?”

Now you have to think at this point that either Neil has a death wish or he knows something that the crowd doesn't. Becoming excited at the mere mention of her, sections of the crowd started chanting Laurels name excitedly until Neil said jokingly, "Well sadly, you are all going to be terribly disappointed." Silence descended on the hall, only to be replaced with deafening cheers as Neil proclaimed, "Actually, I can feel the tingle down my spine, because I have something to tell you Laurel Holloman is here!"

Oh my God! The crowd erupted in a way I have never seen before. There were women screaming, women jumping up and down, women standing on chairs, all of us cheering so loudly, that I wondered if the roof was going to cave in. I know for a fact that Neil wasn't the only one with tingles up and down his spine!

Laurel jumped up onto the stage, looking both stylishly and comfortable, visibly moved by the emotional response from the crowd. Close to tears, she eventually managed to be heard above the cheering. "I'm speechless" which of course cause more thunderous cheers..."It means a lot to me to see this, because I love this show." She went on to explain, that she was very jet-lagged...but that just meant she would be enjoying a few pints of Guinness! Fortunately for all of us, her schedule was changed at the last minute, allowing her to make the trip...and ensuring her place as the belle of the ball in all our hearts. An honor, which she proved, she deserved over and over again during her short, but incredibly sweet visit to the UK. 

© Tracey Watson/Angela Knight