Bruno is a mentalist
Sad Bruno in mental home
By JOHN TROUP
BOXING hero Frank Bruno was last night sectioned under the Mental Health Act.
The tragic former world heavyweight champion, 41, was taken to hospital after police and medics were called to his mansion.
A police source said there was no violence but grimly confirmed: “He has been sectioned.”
Bruno’s last public appearance was on Friday as he plugged a panto with puppet Sooty.
Friends had recently feared for the former fighter’s mental state.
The star — famed for his catchphrase “Know Wot I Mean, ’Arry” — last month told how he slept in a boxing ring in his garden.
At other times he kipped in a tent.
At the weekend it was claimed that he had started believing he was racing legend Frankie Dettori.
Wife Laura ... £5million divorce
Pals said Bruno was losing his sanity as he struggled to get over wife Laura, 43, walking out with their three children.
He had to pay her a £5million divorce settlement.
The loss of his wife of 11 years and kids Nicola, 20, Rachel, 16, and Franklin, seven, pushed him into a spiral of depression.
Yesterday police arrived at the palatial home where he now lives alone in Stondon Massey, near Brentwood, Essex, just before 2pm.
An ambulance crew was already there — and had called for back-up. Bruno was brought out 4½ hours later.
He was driven away in an ambulance escorted by a police car.
Last night Bruno was receiving treatment at Goodmayes Psychiatric Hospital near Ilford.
His housekeeper said: “It’s obvious Frank needs a lot of help. He has found it very hard to get the right sort of treatment and is feeling a lot of pressure.”
Driven away ... ambulance takes Bruno from home last night
The world of boxing was shocked by the latest twist in the legend’s troubled life.
But The Sun’s boxing columnist Colin Hart told how Bruno had plagued him with calls as his illness raged on.
Colin, our boxing correspondent for 30 years, said: “They were often rambling and late at night. It was clearly a real cry for help.
“The divorce has affected him very deeply.
“He simply has no purpose in life, he hasn’t got a job. What has happened is terribly sad but it is for the best.
“At least now he can get the treatment and help he needs.”
Former European, British and Commonwealth champion Sir Henry Cooper OBE, 68, said: “The public loved Frank. It’s incredibly sad it has come to this.”
Bruno’s close friend, former world middleweight champion Steve Collins, 39, said: “Right now he needs his friends and family around him. I wish him the best.”
Ex-world featherweight champion Barry McGuigan said: “He was a very loved character. This is worrying and a concern for other fighters too.”
Last night a brain injury expert said the constant batterings Bruno took in the ring may have contributed to his mental illness.
Bruno’s hero Muhammad Ali was also left brain damaged. Retired neuropathologist Dr Helen Grant said: “I am not surprised that this has happened. Boxing is bad for the brain full stop.”
Retreat ... ring in his back garden with tent on right
Picture: MATRIX
But boxing commentator Reg Gutteridge said: “Is it the punches he’s taken in the ring? I very much doubt it. Until recently he was as bright as a button.
“I think a lot of it is down to him leaving the ring and him not being the big man any more.”
Last month shambling Bruno checked into a clinic in Chelmsford, a few miles from his home.
Following his treatment at the £325-a-night Priory, he insisted: “I’m not suffering from depression. In fact I’ve never felt better. I’ve got everything I need and I don’t want for anything. All I want are a few more smiles.”
Bruno, who won the WBC heavyweight title in 1995, claimed this summer he was planning to come out of retirement. But boxing experts said his hope of taking on Olympic champion Audley Harrison was just a pipe dream.
When Bruno made his last public appearance promoting Christmas panto Aladdin he beamed for cameramen at the Wycombe Swan Theatre in High Wycombe, Bucks.
King of the ring ... Bruno is crowned world champion in 1995
But as one pal revealed, behind the mask Bruno was cracking up. The chum said: “It was hard to make head or tail of what he was saying sometimes.”
Boxing promoter Frank Warren tried to persuade Bruno to seek medical advice two months ago. He said: “I’ve been told he has manic depression, but won’t accept it.”
Sad Bruno in mental home
By JOHN TROUP
BOXING hero Frank Bruno was last night sectioned under the Mental Health Act.
The tragic former world heavyweight champion, 41, was taken to hospital after police and medics were called to his mansion.
A police source said there was no violence but grimly confirmed: “He has been sectioned.”
Bruno’s last public appearance was on Friday as he plugged a panto with puppet Sooty.
Friends had recently feared for the former fighter’s mental state.
The star — famed for his catchphrase “Know Wot I Mean, ’Arry” — last month told how he slept in a boxing ring in his garden.
At other times he kipped in a tent.
At the weekend it was claimed that he had started believing he was racing legend Frankie Dettori.
Wife Laura ... £5million divorce
Pals said Bruno was losing his sanity as he struggled to get over wife Laura, 43, walking out with their three children.
He had to pay her a £5million divorce settlement.
The loss of his wife of 11 years and kids Nicola, 20, Rachel, 16, and Franklin, seven, pushed him into a spiral of depression.
Yesterday police arrived at the palatial home where he now lives alone in Stondon Massey, near Brentwood, Essex, just before 2pm.
An ambulance crew was already there — and had called for back-up. Bruno was brought out 4½ hours later.
He was driven away in an ambulance escorted by a police car.
Last night Bruno was receiving treatment at Goodmayes Psychiatric Hospital near Ilford.
His housekeeper said: “It’s obvious Frank needs a lot of help. He has found it very hard to get the right sort of treatment and is feeling a lot of pressure.”
Driven away ... ambulance takes Bruno from home last night
The world of boxing was shocked by the latest twist in the legend’s troubled life.
But The Sun’s boxing columnist Colin Hart told how Bruno had plagued him with calls as his illness raged on.
Colin, our boxing correspondent for 30 years, said: “They were often rambling and late at night. It was clearly a real cry for help.
“The divorce has affected him very deeply.
“He simply has no purpose in life, he hasn’t got a job. What has happened is terribly sad but it is for the best.
“At least now he can get the treatment and help he needs.”
Former European, British and Commonwealth champion Sir Henry Cooper OBE, 68, said: “The public loved Frank. It’s incredibly sad it has come to this.”
Bruno’s close friend, former world middleweight champion Steve Collins, 39, said: “Right now he needs his friends and family around him. I wish him the best.”
Ex-world featherweight champion Barry McGuigan said: “He was a very loved character. This is worrying and a concern for other fighters too.”
Last night a brain injury expert said the constant batterings Bruno took in the ring may have contributed to his mental illness.
Bruno’s hero Muhammad Ali was also left brain damaged. Retired neuropathologist Dr Helen Grant said: “I am not surprised that this has happened. Boxing is bad for the brain full stop.”
Retreat ... ring in his back garden with tent on right
Picture: MATRIX
But boxing commentator Reg Gutteridge said: “Is it the punches he’s taken in the ring? I very much doubt it. Until recently he was as bright as a button.
“I think a lot of it is down to him leaving the ring and him not being the big man any more.”
Last month shambling Bruno checked into a clinic in Chelmsford, a few miles from his home.
Following his treatment at the £325-a-night Priory, he insisted: “I’m not suffering from depression. In fact I’ve never felt better. I’ve got everything I need and I don’t want for anything. All I want are a few more smiles.”
Bruno, who won the WBC heavyweight title in 1995, claimed this summer he was planning to come out of retirement. But boxing experts said his hope of taking on Olympic champion Audley Harrison was just a pipe dream.
When Bruno made his last public appearance promoting Christmas panto Aladdin he beamed for cameramen at the Wycombe Swan Theatre in High Wycombe, Bucks.
King of the ring ... Bruno is crowned world champion in 1995
But as one pal revealed, behind the mask Bruno was cracking up. The chum said: “It was hard to make head or tail of what he was saying sometimes.”
Boxing promoter Frank Warren tried to persuade Bruno to seek medical advice two months ago. He said: “I’ve been told he has manic depression, but won’t accept it.”
