I've never been to a fan convention before. Apparently at the last L Word event in Blackpool, the appearance of the actress who played Shane prompted many of the 2000 women turning up to become Shane clones.

So I was prepared for a bit of fan "nuttiness" at L4, supported by Gaydargirls.co.uk, which took place at the Thistle Hotel near London's Heathrow Airport.

No Shane this time, though we were expecting the arrival of Tina (played by Laurel Holloman), the gorgeous Carmen (played by Sara Shahi), Helena Peabody, (played by Rachel Shelley), Anne Ramsey, (who played one of Jenny's unfortunate girlfriends) and Dana's on-off girlfriend "the sous chef" Lara, (played by Lauren Lee Smith).
 
Sadly pre-convention rumours about Carmen not being able to make it were confirmed when we arrived AND - even worse - no Tina either!

I was expecting we'd have a major riot on our hands with this news, but speaking to the fans over the weekend, they were just happy to be there.

Ally from Maidenhead and Sted from Wales - who'd been up until 4am partying with the other L Word fans at the hotel on the Friday night - said its just great to be able to socialise with other fans of the show.

"Everyone's just up for a good laugh. And I think I might have actually met my soul mate last night," Ally said.

"It doesn't matter who comes. The shows so big everyone just loves them [the actors]," added Becky from Fleet.

And Rachel Shelley - aka Helena - was quite a draw herself.

"I'm most looking forward to seeing Rachel. I like her character because she's funny and posh. I like to see more of her and the show needs to be more funny. More Alice and Helena!" Sarah from Brighton told GaydarNation.

Helena started off as very much the English rich bitch who helped break up couple Bette and Tina, but over the last few series we've seen her lose everything and go through a sexual harassment case, be involved in gambling and crime, and get thrown in jail.

"I think her [Helena's] appeal has really grown since the first series. I think her being English put people off at first and I think she's done a great job of turning Helena's character around. I think she's really funny. She's got brilliant hair and great dress sense. What more do you want?" said Lou from Hastings.

Some had even travelled far and wide for the conference. For Francesca from Italy, it was her third convention.

"I love this place...I love everything about the show. The first lesbian show to have sixth series in the history of television," she said. "I don't know whether there will be a show that people will love as much as The L Word."

In place of the missing pair, Guinevere Turner, who appeared in the first season of the show as Alice's ex-girlfriend Gabi, was a suitable replacement.

As well as appearing in the show, she helped write several episodes and is apparently credited with coming up with the name - The L Word. Oh and she appeared and wrote on of the biggest lesbian movies of the 1990s, Go Fish.

For a fan convention virgin like myself the "opening ceremony" on the Friday night was an experience I won't forget.

Around 800 women sitting and waiting in anticipation at the stars from the biggest lesbian media event in the past ten years. You could smell the tension. (Or was that gas coming from the ancient kitchen next the conference room?).

One by one the actors were introduced on stage, and the place errupted each time. I would say on the whole Helena got the biggest cheer, whooping up the crowd with confirmation of the forthcoming sixth series.
Each one of them just had to say "hi" and the girls went crazy. I wonder what would have happened if they had come out and said "frankly The L Word isn't that great" (in an enthusiastic tone of voice, of course). They probably wouldn't have heard them anyway. God, women can scream.

The rest of the evening the girls danced the night away with a disco, and over Saturday and Sunday the fans listened to the girls talk on stage, had their photos taken with them and got stuff signed.

For Kate and Gemma from Cardiff meeting the stars of the show face to face at the signings was the best thing.

"They were really, really nice. Everything I expected and more. And Rachel's half Welsh so that made it even better! Made our day!," they said.
 
Over the weekend I had the chance to catch up with Helena - sorry, I mean Rachel Shelley - and talk to her about her character, who I can reveal, IS returning for the sixth series after "doing a bunk" in season five.
 
Other exclusives the weekend revealed is that although the show is only getting eight episodes for its final season next year, there is possible talk of an L Word film. Not much more information than that, so watch this space!

All in all the event is a great way of bringing women together to have a party and to talk about a great show. There's another one coming up in November, with, WAIT FOR IT, the gorgeous, the lovely, the sexy alpha female that is Bette Porter confirmed to make her way to the Las Vegas of the north, Blackpool.

Personally I just want to ask Jennifer Beals about getting her kit off in Flashdance, but hey, that's just me.

Click here for my podcast interview with Rachel Shelley, where I talk to her about advertising Brita Water Filters, among other things.

The next L Word convention, being supported by GaydarGirls.co.uk, is being held at the Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool from 14-16 November. To book tickets go here or keep listening to GaydarRadio to win tickets to the event later in the year.