Antonio Banderas' heart condition no barrier to his annual Palm Sunday parade in Málaga

ACTOR Antonio Banderas has defied speculation that his recent heart troubles would keep him from his annual pilgrimage to Málaga for the Easter processions – he has already been spotted dressed in his Holy Week 'brotherhood' gown and pointy hat, taking part in the Palm Sunday parades.

And it looks likely he will continue with his lifelong tradition and help carry the float with the statue of the Virgin Mary through the streets on Good Friday, in a solemn parade to mark the crucifixion.

Banderas has returned to his native Costa del Sol city every year, no matter where in the world he is living or what film commitments he has, to join the pall-bearers parading the María Santísima de las Lágrimas y Favores ('Most Holy Mary of Tears and Favours'), the patron saint of Málaga.

One of Spain's two most-international film stars – along with his one-time fellow Almodóvar regular Penélope Cruz – Banderas attended the Palm Sunday parades with his new Dutch girlfriend, Nicole Kimpel, with whom he lives in Surrey (UK) as well as his brother Francisco Javier and various other family members and friends.

Among the most moving moments of the procession was when the men from the brotherhood hugged each other whilst looking up at the Virgin Mary, moving from right to left, and begun singing the Palm Sunday hymn Lágrimas de San Juan ('Tears of Saint John').

Banderas – an accomplished singer – was seen with tears in his own eyes, and his voice briefly cracked with the emotion of the moment.