A Wirral timber salesman who started a new life as a bullfighter in Spain has died at the age of 49.
Peter Jones, from West Kirby, was drawn to the danger of the ring after attending a bullfighting festival in Salamanca in 1996.
Just five years later he had 40 fights to his name and came to count some of Spain’s famous matadors among his friends.
News of Mr Jones’s death was announced by the Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake – which Mr Jones joined in 1985 – in an e-mail to members.
Secretary Simon Newland said: “I am very sorry to have to advise Members of the sudden death of Mr Peter Jones on Saturday 21st January 2017 at the age of 49.
“Peter had been a member of the Club since 1985.
“Our sincere condolences are passed to the family.”
In an interview with the ECHO, Mr Jones said he became a bullfighter “by accident” after he became friends with the friends of a local bullfighting club.
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He told how he hoped to establish a business providing tours of bullfighting rings and private breeding ranches.
He said: “I became friends with famous matadors, like Domingo Lopez Chaves, and became really interested in the culture and tradition surrounding bullfighting.
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“They eventually asked me to have a go in the ring and although terrified, I learnt to love it.”
As “El Nino”, he wore the traditional uniform of an apprentice bullfighter including a sombrero, a short waistcoat, a black sash tied at the waist and a magenta cape called an elcapote.
His fights took place throughout the summer and in July 2001 he had his first fight in Salamanca’s Candelario bullring, one of the top venues in Spain.
He said he had decided not to become a professional matador after several “close scrapes” but was passionate about bullfighting, arguing that it is a cultural tradition and not inhumane.
He said: “The fighting bull lives a very privileged life in Spain. They live for three years on some of the best pasture land in Europe and is almost a sacred animal in Spanish culture.
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“People have certain preconceptions about this sport but I want to bring British tourists over to Spain and show them the traditional culture behind the fights. They can then gain the knowledge to make up their own minds.”
Friends described Mr Jones as a talented golfer and natural sportsman.