El Higgins, the British bullfighter - archive, 19 September 1970
(The Guardian Spain)

19 September 1970: Higgins, who calls himself El Canadas, is no joke. He is being taken more and more seriously by the Spanish press and bullfight aficionadosThe Anglification of Spain´s Costa del Sol advances another step this Sunday when Mr Henry Higgins becomes the first Englishman ever to become a full matador. Higgins, who has been fighting bulls since 1963, takes his alternativa at five in the afternoon at Fuengirola, one of a string of towns on the coast more famous for their `Truly British Fish & Chips` and Carnaby Street boutiques than their paella or flamenco.But Higgins, who calls himself El Canadas, is no joke. He is being taken more and more seriously by the Spanish press and bullfight aficionados. He is a classicist; his style has been modelled on the strict canons of bullfighting and he has been severely gored on three occasions. During his career he has had to overcome many obstacles and frustrations and he says that perseverance, above courage or skill, is the prime quality of the prospective matador. Related: It was Spain´s `national fiesta´. Now bullfighting divides its people Related: Spain urged to ban children from bullfights Continue reading...