Bruno 'wins battle with depression'

Boxing champ Frank Bruno was back home safe and sound tonight after appearing to win his fight with depression.

The former world heavyweight hero was said to be training at his luxury mansion near Brentwood, Essex, after being released from hospital this morning.

Shaven-headed Bruno, 41, dressed in a navy blue sports tracksuit with yellow and light blue stripes on the arms, was glimpsed walking around his garden.

Throughout the day music could be heard coming from the house and children were seen playing in the grounds, where the boxing ring in which Bruno won his world heavyweight title is erected.

Bruno, one of Britain’s best loved sports personalities, was sectioned under the Mental Health Act last month after police and health workers visited his home.

It was widely reported that the troubled celebrity was battling depression and had gone through a painful and costly divorce.

The death of boxing friend and mentor George Francis also hit him hard.

Just 48 hours before he was sectioned, he was spotted wandering the streets of Liverpool.

The star was visited at Goodmayes Hospital in Ilford, Essex, by his former wife Laura and their children.

Staff received hundreds of goodwill messages and dozens of bouquets for the popular strong-man.

During his stay at the psychiatric hospital, it was reported that Bruno was involved in a disturbance to which police were called.

A woman who answered the intercom at the gate to his house today said: “He is doing fine. He is in good health.

“He has come out of hospital today and he just wants to spend some time with the family.

“He’s training at the moment but I don’t think he’ll be coming out of the house today.”

Bruno’s agent Kevin Lushing, speaking from Spain, said: “He has a long way to go yet and he just needs to be in familiar surroundings now.

“I wish him well. I haven’t spoken to him yet but I’ll hopefully be seeing him this week.”

Earlier, Bruno, wearing a red top and baseball cap, smiled, waved and gave a thumbs-up as he was driven away from the hospital.

He was driven through the gates of his home and met by members of his family, but di not speak to reporters.

He was talking on a mobile phone as the car drove through the rear gate of his luxurious home.

Both the front and rear gates of the property, which is surrounded by a high black fence, were then shut.

Shortly before he returned home Bruno’s red Rolls-Royce, with the number plate FRB 1, was driven out of the grounds with a man and a woman inside.

It returned a few minutes before Bruno arrived.

Mental health charity SANE said Bruno’s progress offered inspiration to those facing the same problems.

Marjorie Wallace, chief executive of SANE, welcomed the former boxing champ’s return home, saying: “His story should give hope to others that people can and do recover from serious mental breakdown.

“He will now need time and space to heal. We fully expect he will be back to his old self.

“If he performs in pantomime this Christmas, the audience will be applauding not only his courage but the bravery of so many thousands who have fought and continue to fight mental illness.”