Frank Bruno breaks silence after falling ‘seriously ill’ on flight in mid-air emergency
BOXING legend Frank Bruno has revealed his story after he fell “seriously ill” on a flight in a mid-air emergency.
The former world heavyweight champ has told of how “tough” the past three weeks had been due to his illness.
He had been previously left “in a really bad way” as he headed off on a speaking tour and was whisked to hospital after landing in Doha, Qatar, earlier this month.
In a post on X today, Bruno said: “The last 3 weeks have been tough especially not knowing what was wrong with me and a Viral infection can mean loads of things between Dave in the office and me we’ll keep you informed.
“At the moment I am told I cannot go to work so for the jobs last week and this weekend please accept my apology however the office is telling me most bookers want to transfer the booked dates.
“The office tells me already this morning hundreds of messages from well wishers so thank you.”
He added: “[I] can’t wait to get back to work.”
The dad-of-four had fallen seriously ill on a long-haul flight earlier this month.
Bruno, who was feverish, was treated by airport medical staff in Qatar before receiving urgent tests at a hospital in the city.
Doctors eventually diagnosed him with a viral infection — and kept him in for nearly two weeks, taking his passport so he could not try to leave.
His manager had previously said he was recovering and looking to return to work “as soon as possible”.
Bruno had been due to talk at four events in Thailand so took a connecting Qatar Airways flight on March 3 from Heathrow to Doha.
He posted a picture of himself in his seat, smiling with sunglasses perched on his head.
He wrote: “Morning so the Frank Bruno World tour continues. Up early for a plane, I don’t sleep well on planes but trying to catch up on some zzzzzzzzzzzs.”
But Bruno, travelling with his PA Paul Hunter, became ill soon after take-off, with crew alerted to his plight.
A source said: “Frank was fine when he boarded the plane — but quickly went downhill during the flight.
“He was in a really bad way and they were unsure what the problem was.
“It was extremely worrying as it was mid-flight so he was stuck on the plane.”
The source added: “Paul and Frank thought it might be food poisoning, but it turned out to be worse than that.
“Frank was in a bad way and was sweating profusely and had fever-like symptoms.
“Paul was worried but was doing his best to keep him calm.”
They said Frank was treated on the flight to Doha as well as in the airport and eventually at the hospital.
“Doctors were really worried and carried out all sorts of tests, including for meningitis,” the source added.
“They then diagnosed him with a viral infection, which at least meant they could start treating him.”
Bruno — who recently starred in Amazon Prime documentary Four Kings alongside fellow Brit fighters Lennox Lewis, Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank — was due to start his Thailand tour on March 6.
But he was forced to cancel as medics kept him at the Al Wakra Hospital until he improved.
His PA — UB40’s former tour manager — stayed with him and kept loved ones informed.
Frank — awarded an MBE for services to boxing in 1990 — is now “on the mend” and has returned to Britain.
The source added: “Frank was severely ill but, thankfully, got good treatment in Doha.
“The hospital he was at is very modern and the biggest in Qatar, and he was in good hands.
“He and Paul were grateful to the medics for the way they looked after him.”
The source described how Frank was monitored closely when he first came in as doctors feared he may try to discharge himself if he thought he was better than he was.
However, they said Frank was “too ill” to leave the facility as he battled the infection.
The source added: “By the end of his time in Qatar, Frank was getting frustrated as he was bored and wanted to leave.
“But they did not take any chances and let him leave only when his condition had improved.”
BRUNO NOW ‘ON THE MEND’
Bruno’s Thailand tour was scheduled to kick off in Pattaya, before more dates with fans in Bangkok, Hua Hin and Koh Phangan.
Our source said: “In typical Frank fashion, he was more worried about supposedly letting his fans down.
“He is massively popular in Thailand and a lot of expats go to his shows. But there was nothing he could do.
“Thankfully he’s now on the mend.”
A scheduled appearance by Bruno at Manchester’s Hotel Football on Sunday has been cancelled by the boxer’s management.
However, it is hoped he will be able to fulfil UK tour commitments in May and June, including an “Evening With” bash at Birmingham City FC.
Bruno hung up his gloves in 1996 after a defeat to Mike Tyson.
He then struggled after quitting and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1998, before splitting with wife Laura in 2001.
Bruno is now a mental health campaigner. He told The Sun in 2021 that he was sectioned — for a fifth time — during lockdown.
He spent six weeks in hospital after family and friends feared for his safety — and Bruno bravely admitted: “I hit rock bottom.”
Sources said his Qatar ordeal was not linked to mental health issues.
His manager Dave Davies said: “Frank was flying out to work in Thailand when he was taken ill on the plane at Doha.
“Medical crew attended Frank on the plane and at hospital. He’s now recovering and hopes to be back at work as soon as possible.”
30YRS ON FROM EPIC WORLD WIN
By Michael Hamilton
FRANK Bruno’s planned UK tour this year will celebrate 30 years since his greatest achievement — beating Oliver McCall to land the WBC heavyweight title.
He outpointed the American in front of a frenzied Wembley crowd in September 1995 — landing the world crown on his fourth attempt.
Londoner Frank had made his professional debut in 1982 and became a fan favourite, winning 21 consecutive bouts by KO.
He also enjoyed a long-standing TV double act with BBC boxing presenter Harry Carpenter.
He popped up on TV shows, Comic Relief appeals and appeared in pantos, with the nation loving his “Know what I mean, ’Arry?” catchphrase.
His first world title loss came against Tim Witherspoon in 1986, before defeats to Mike Tyson in 1989 and Lennox Lewis in 1993.
After beating McCall, his first defence was against Tyson, who stopped him in round three.
Bruno suffered eye damage in the 1996 fight and retired — with a career record of 40 wins from 45 bouts, 38 by knockout.
The star has been open about his battles with mental health since quitting.
He helps others via his charity The Frank Bruno Foundation, and his book 60 Years a Fighter was published to mark his birthday in 2021.
The Sun was invited to the landmark bash, with tributes from stars including Tyson, Stephen Fry and Ricky Hatton.