Well that was a lot of fun wasn’t it ! And had been looking forward to this event for a while, thought there was no head line guest for me there were many good names that I wanted to meet. I really liked the format of having different section for the decades.

This gave more of a focus and a theme to the guests and gave the event more variety.

I arrived about 8:55 and as is common with Monopoly events they had opened early and the regular queue has already all gone in… I was in the access/ Diamond line and it took about 20 minutes to get in the event. Not sure why as didn’t see much of a reason when I entered.

Having a tight time table I went to get Linda Hamilton to sign first. Linda is lovely but has a reputation of being extremely slow and over friendly. Luckily she had leaned the balance and was faster but still gave a lovely interaction. Friendly and warm. Making the effort to get the signatures right and make fans happy.

She was just as warm and cuddly in the photo sessions - I wished her a belated happy birthday as it was on Friday and she gave me nice thank you and cuddle back. She is defiantly a guest that is there for the fans and loves to interact. Talking about all the art and fan mail she has recieved over the years.

Robert Patrick - for some one who always plays miserable or grim, always a delight. Taking about his role in peacemaker and he was promoting Tulsa King as a must watch next.

Ally Sheedy ( first uk event )- I only met her for a brief photo shoot , I told her I liked her in Psych and she said she loved that role.

Joe Manganiello- again was onto a brief photo meet, he was a no touch guest - which I am fine with - but he made faces and poses. Wasn’t a lot of chat.

Jeremy Daniels - I’ve met him a few times over the years- really lovely and thoughtful guy

Andrew Divioff - a real delight , was appreciative of the things spoke about in regards to his characters and the wishmaster movies.

Adewale Akinnuoye Agbaji- I’ve had a few near misses with him over the years so was happy to finally meet him . He was fun and friendly and happy to write quote on my friends Lost poster commenting how good an episode that was.

Brian O’Halloran- I’m a clerks fan and although I had met him before , I hadn’t seen him since clerks 3. Had a nice chat about the final movie and how much I enjoyed the clerks animated movie and that I was one of the few to notice he was in The Happening - you only see his eyes in a car mirror but yeah I’m that kinda fan.

Nick Moran - as he was signing my friends Lock Stock poster he was telling us stories about the distribution of the movie in America - how this America’s version was all over LA and how he was able to get into the best clubs. If the bouncers didn’t know him - he would just point to the poster and tell them - that’s me. If you’re a fan of that movie you need to meet him and listen to his stories. So many good ones

Alan Ford ( first ever event ) - the man the myth the legend. Such an iconic voice. He was enjoying meeting his fans and full of energy.

Selma Blair ( first uk event )- so sweet and fun, she commented on my Batman T-shirt and how she knew she would meet Batman one day.

The next batch of actors were all so phenomenal- the cast of Police Academy.

Scott Thomson ( first uk event )- he was adorable, really just loving meeting and playing with fans. Over whelmed with all the different things he was being asked to be signed.

Steve Gutenberg - I was always told he was a bit hit and miss and stand offish- he was far far from it . He was funny and taking time with people. Giving complements and making sure all got what they wanted signed.

Tim Kazurinsky - another sweet man, Bob smiles and gives you a warmth when you talk to him.

Bobcat Goldthwait ( first uk event ) - keep repeating myself, but he was another lovely person. Engaging and discussing with fans. I spoke about his directing and how I enjoy the films he has made , that I interviewed him on 2013 about one of them and I gifted him a photo I had taken of him with and Terry Gillian from the press call which was a sweet candid moment.

Lance Kinsley- we spoke about his other roles and he recommended a movie called Allstars - which I need to find - he was also very sweet and appreciative

Finally Donovan Scott ( first uk event )- this man has played Santa so many times I think he has gone full method and just lives the Santa life. He was sweet and kind and although he was only in the first of the franchise due to a filming clash. We definitely need him back for the December event for Santa Claus costume shoots

I watched a couple of panels - I like the layout with the stage in the side hall where the photos are so you can pop in and out so not to miss a thing and can hear whilst in the lines.

I’ve always been a fan of this venue - it’s in a good location for hotels , restaurants etc and the halls are a good size and easy to walk between them.

The larger areas for the props was good and a few new ones to have fun with, I love to play with props and silly poses and videos so these are always a hit for me

Overall it was a great event, not overly busy or overcrowded even though there were a lot of people there. The photo studios are on point as always - very little delays.

There autographs area is still the only stumbling block as there isn’t enough crew and they need dividers on guests lines for regular and diamond as it becomes messy

Also special mention for having so many UK firsts at one event

But one of the best events of the year and look forward to 2026

 

Rating 9/10