Former Heavyweight champion Frank Bruno has detailed the mental health relapse that saw him sectioned during lockdown.
The 60-year-old boxing legend was admitted to hospital during the pandemic after a string of mental health downfalls amid his bipolar battle.
Appearing on Good Morning Britain, Frank detailed how losing four of his close friends to Covid related illnesses sent him on a downward spiral and into a ‘terrifying’ relapse.
While his health spiralled out of control, Frank revealed that he was thankfully able to re-emerge from his depression with the help of exercise and a strict training regime.
Lifting the lid on his mental health spiral, Frank told hosts Susanna Reid and Robert Rinder that he was ‘the last to know’ about his behaviour, and only realised what was happening when ambulances showed up outside his door.
“There were ambulances and police outside my house. It was strange, when you’re the last one to know. I thought, ‘if I was mad, that’s what they think I am, they wouldn’t come to my house’.
Opening up about sectioned, Frank said: “It was weird. It was very strange.”
Thankfully, Frank found solace in training, and was able to emerge from his mental health decline with the help of daily exercise and sticking to a strict regime.
“Crazy people might not understand it," he explained.
“There are 24 hours in a day, you should give your body and your mind two hours to look out for yourself. It’s simple as well.”
During the insightful GMB interview, Frank also urged others who are suffering with mental health issues to ‘not feel ashamed, even though it’s hard not to sometimes’.
The boxing champion has been incredibly open about his own struggles with mental health, and he has shared his own stories in a bid to help others who may find themselves in the same position.
The legendary fighter is currently preparing to release his new memoir, titled ‘Frank Bruno: 60 Years a Fighter’, later this month.
Lifting the lid on his lockdown hospitalisation – which he details in his new book - Frank said: “It was the most terrifying time of my life. But now I am ready to tell the full story about what happens.”
Good Morning Britain continues tomorrow at 6.30am on ITV.
