Retired matador to return to ring

Frank Evans retired in 2005

A British matador who retired from the ring in 2005 is planning to make a comeback at the age of 65.

Frank Evans, from Salford, plans to resume his 40-year bullfighting career after three years away due to health problems.

The pensioner had a quadruple heart bypass six months ago and a knee replacement two years earlier.

Mr Evans will take part in a charity bullfight at Villanueva de Concepcion, near Malaga, in Spain, on Sunday.

I'm only returning because it's a vocation Frank Evans

He said he decided to resume the sport because he missed it after his retirement in 2005.

Mr Evans said: "It's quite a compelling activity. I didn't like being retired at all.

"People will wonder how can I think about going back to that. If I was a golfer, people wouldn't raise their eyebrows. It's just dangerous, period.

"It always was and always will be and you have to be a little bit selfish to do this.

"I'm only returning because it's a vocation. I wouldn't like to get 10 years down the line when I'm genuinely too old."

The charity fight will pave the way for a professional Corrida next month.

"I've probably got more butterflies because I know people are looking at me - 'will he need a walking stick to get across the ring?' "

'Inspirational character'

Mr Evans has ambitions to fight in the three countries he has never worked in before - Colombia, Peru and Ecuador.

He said: "I'm not going to retire again.

"I'm here until I fade away."

David Small, who is helping him write his autobiography, said El Ingles, as Mr Evans is known, is well respected in Spain.

"He's very down to earth and there's no airs and graces," he said.

"He's an inspirational character. You can't help but be inspired by him."