Former boxing champion Frank Bruno has revealed that he was almost stabbed by a mental health patient during a stint in hospital.

The 50-year-old, who was initially sectioned in 2003 due to unusual behaviour, was handed the similar fate earlier this year after his family expressed worry to local health officials.

"I was sitting in the dining area when I saw a guy out the corner of my eye," Bruno told The Mirror. "He'd grabbed a knife out the kitchen and was coming at me when ­security staff bundled him over.

"I froze in shock at what was ­happening. A lot of the people in these hospitals are very sick and need help."

The incident occurred on the second day of his stint in Essex's Basildon Hospital.