Media
coverage of Frank Bruno's problems raised controversy, the principal
accusations being gross intusion and insensititivy. Particular criticism
was aimed at The Sun, whose headline in the first editions the next
day read "Bonkers Bruno Locked Up". Second editions retracted the
headline and attempted to portray a more sympathetic attitude towards
Bruno and mental health in general. As an attempt at atonement, the
paper established a charity fund for people suffering from mental
illness, although some mental health charities condemned The Sun's
latter action that dday a being grossly cynical in the light of the
former. On 24 February 2008, Bruno offered his support to former footballer
Paul Gascoigne, who on 21 February had been sectioned under the Mental
Health Act. Bruno also spoke on his own personal experiences in the
mental health system at a conference run by Hari Sewell, on 22 June
2009. Bruno was sectioned again in 2012 and taken to St Andrew's Hospital
in Northamton for five weeks. In December 2013, Bruno spoke to the
Daily Mirror in support of their mental health campaign, stating:
"Mental illness is a terrible thing to have to cope with but I've
learnt it's a fight you can win if you live your life the right way".
In
December 2005, Bruno announced that he was to become a father for
the fourth time since finding new romance with old friend Yvonne Clydesdale.
The pair, who first met five years previously at a health resort,
began dating months after bumping into each other at a win bar near
his home. Yvonne gave birth to baby Freya on 10 May 2006. On 10 October
2006, Bruno and Clydesdale were jointly awarded $50,000 damages for
libel against The People newspaper and publishers MGN in respect of
false claims made about their relationship. In 2006, Bruno published
an autobiography Frank: Fighting Back. It won the Best Autobiography
category of the British Sports Book Awards. As of May 2012, Bruno
was living in Glasgow with his new hairdresser girlfriend, Nina Coletta
in the Gorbals area of the city.
Bruno has joined the Get Close and
Personal Platform to raise funds to support The Frank Bruno Foundation,
dedicated to improving the mental health of men around the world.
Frank offers 1-1 Video Calls with anybody wanting to discuss issues
related to mental health and Frank's own journey.
Media appearances
and non-boxing interests
In January 2001, prior to that year's general election,
Bruno announced that he wanted to stand as the Conservative candidate
in the traditionally safe Conservative seat of Brentwood and Ongar
against the independent Member of Parliament, Martin Bell. His proposed
slogan was "Don't be a plank, vote for Frank!". However, this idea
was quickly dismissed by Conservative Central Office. In an interview
with BBC Sport at the time, Bruno laughed at the story and denied
he had any intention of standing. In 2006, he was one of a number
of celebrities who were recorded on the World Cup song, "Who Do You
Think You Are Kidding Jurgen Klinsmann?" On 15 August 2009, he appeared
on The Weakest Link beating Duke McKenzie in the final for $12,800.
He had a small role in the 2008 British crime drama Cass. Bruno made
brief guest appearances in episodes of the ITV comedy show, Harry
Hill's TV Burp in February and October 2011. On 21 April 2011, Bruno
appeared on the ITV! chat show The Alan Titchmarsh Show, where he
was candid about his previous health issues. In 2011, he made a guest
appearance in Sooty. On 20 April 2012, Bruno was featured in the ITV
series Piers Morgan's Life Stories.
He supports West Ham United F.C.
whilst also having an affinity for the Scottish team, Aberdeen F.C.
Bruno completed the 2011 London Marathon which is the third marathon
he has run successfully. He has also run numerous half marathons.
He is also a patron for The Shannon Bradshaw Trust, a children's charity.
Bruno regularly makes personal appearances and also sells autographed
items of memorabilia. On 23 July 2013, Bruno was featured in the BBC
Three documentary with his daughter Rachel in Rachel Bruno: My Dad
and Me.
In 2020 amid the COVID-19 crisis Frank Bruno joined a supergroup
of celebrities called The Celebs which included Kellie Shirley and
X Factor winner Sam Bailey to raise money for both Alzheimer's Society
and Action for Children. They recorded a new rendition of "Merry Christms
Everyone" by Shakin' Stevens and it was released digitally on 11 December
2020 on independent record label Saga Entertainment. The music video
debuted exclusively on Good Morning Britain the day before release.
The song peaked at number two on the iTunes pop chart.