Bruno fights back

Six weeks ago, Frank Bruno was a broken man. Battling to keep his dignity, he was sectioned under the Mental Health Act and taken to hospital by police officers in the glare of publicity.

But now the former heavyweight champion has spoken openly about his illness.

In his first interview since being sectioned in September, Bruno, 41, tells Sir Trevor McDonald on today's Tonight programme about his ordeal.

Recalling the day he was sectioned, he said: 'There was a police, two police cars - no three police cars - and two ambulancemen and I thought they were joking, you know, so I was stalling and stalling and stalling and stalling and stalling. I thought they were joking, I thought this was Candid Camera.'

Bruno, who lives near Brentwood, Essex, said his troubles started after his split from ex-wife Laura and the death of his friend and former trainer, George Francis.

Soon afterwards, he could not help breaking down in tears. Then there were bizarre shopping sprees.

He told Sir Trevor: 'I was doing some odd and peculiar things, you know what I mean. One of them was just buying some silly, silly lorries. I was buying old people's chairs.

'I remember driving to Lands End and just driving in and out the lanes like a nutter, like a mad man you know.

I bought about six cars - not brand new, second-hand - but still cars.'

His family sought help and had him sectioned. But big Frank was not a willing player. After a few days in hospital, he flew into a rage and police were called to calm him down.

Bruno said: 'I needed to be in the place because I needed the rest but it was the man's thing - no, I don't want to be in here, I want to get out of here.

'They gave me two injections to slow me down. I weren't proud of that but it was needed.'

At the end of the interview, Bruno gives his famous chuckle and Sir Trevor asks him: 'Are we going to have more of that in the future.'

Bruno replies: 'Yeah, definitely Trevor, definitely man.'