Bruno offers support to Gascoigne

Frank Bruno struggled mentally after retiring from boxing

Former heavyweight boxing champion Frank Bruno has offered his sympathy to Paul Gascoigne after his detention under the Mental Health Act.

Bruno was himself sectioned under the Act in 2003, seven years after his last professional fight against Mike Tyson.

"I feel very sorry for him. He'll be very frightened - it's a horrible place to be," Bruno told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"But if you're not well and the fuse has gone in your head, they'll put you on certain things to calm you down."

Interview: Former heavyweight boxer Frank Bruno

Bruno, 46, recounted his experience of being detained on 5 Live's Sportsweek programme.

If you don't look after number one, no-one can look after you Frank Bruno

"I did not understand what was happening. I thought it was a joke," he said.

"But it is not a funny thing. It is a very serious thing and a very sad thing so my heart goes out to him.

"I was going wild like an animal in a cage, so they tripped me up and injected something in my backside to calm me down."

Bruno warned Gascoigne not to expect any special treatment in hospital.

"He needs to be treated like everyone else and so must put scoring goals to one side. This happens to royals and to actors, to any Tom, Dick and Harry," he said.

"They will slow him down and bring him back to reality but when the head goes, it is very hard thing to bring you back.

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"People take the mickey out of mental health, but it is very delicate."

The former WBC world champion expressed his absolute determination not to relapse.

"I'm looking after myself 24/7 because I don't want to go back," he said.

"I'd advise Gascoigne to stay clean, go to the gym and keep healthy because life is short. If you don't look after number one, no-one can look after you."