The 4th of July was a special day this year... not just because of American Independence Day or the fact that Madonna opened the new leg of her Sticky and Sweet tour at the London O2 Arena (!), but because it was the weekend of Madrid Pride!

Every year I'd heard rumours that Madrid Pride was getting bigger and better, attracting more people from all over Spain and indeed Europe. Friends told me it was rivalling the UK's biggest events and so this year I decided to find out for myself. And all I can say is that all the rumours are true!

More than two million people from Spain - men, women and kids - turned out on to the streets of Madrid on Saturday at around 6pm to watch the parade of more than 30 colourful floats, this year running through the city from Puerta de Alcalá and closing central streets.

For me, this was one of the longest, most spectacular and most exciting Pride parades I have ever been on. It was simply awesome!

The official parade finished at 11.30pm, a staggering five hours after it had begun, as the last float entered Plaza de Espana cheered by the crowd. The party, of course, continued until much, much later!

Bravo Madrid!