He walked his beautiful daughter Rachel down the aisle six months ago, following his long documented battle with bipolar disorder.
But Frank Bruno, 56, has found yet more joy in 2017, after announcing he is going to be a granddad for the first time.
Soon-to-be ‘Granpda Frank’ said he was ‘absolutely over the moon’ that his 30-year-old daughter was now expecting her first child with childhood sweetheart Bobby Hardy, who she married in June.
Some-ring to be excited about! Frank Bruno revealed he was ‘over the moon’ when he found out he is going to be a granddad for the first time in a sweet Instagram post on Saturday
A source close to the family told MailOnline: ‘Frank was delighted when he heard from Rachel telling him she was expecting.
‘Rachel knows that she has to only pick up the phone if she needs support from her dad.’
The retired boxer broke the news in a sweet Instagram post on Saturday, revealing that his grandchild will be born in July 2018.
Frank captioned the post: ‘I’m absolutely over the moon to be able to announce that my daughter @rachelbruno_hardy & @ohhbobbyhardy will be welcoming this little one into the world in July…. I can’t wait to be Grandpa Frank.’
Must be love: Rachel wore a Suzanne Neville gown when she vowed to spend the rest of her life with her childhood sweetheart Bobby Hardy
The champion, who retired from the sport in 1996, gave his daughter away at a romantic ceremony at Brentwood Cathedral in June.
Ahead of the wedding, he told The Sunday Mirror: ‘It will be emotional – she will always be my little girl. I might have a few tears.
‘It is a moment every father who is lucky enough to have a daughter dreams about so I am looking forward to it.’
Rachel wore a Suzanne Neville gown when she vowed to spend the rest of her life with Bobby.
Pleased as punch: The personal trainer had fears her father would not be able to walk her down the aisle on her big day because of his fight with mental illness
But the personal trainer had fears her father would not be able to walk her down the aisle on her big day because of his fight with mental illness.
Rachel told The Sunday Mirror: ‘When Dad wasn’t well I feared it might not happen. But I am so proud of how he has turned things around. To marry the love of my life with my dad at my side is all I could ever have asked for.’
Bruno is father to four children, his son Franklyn and three daughters Freya, Nicola and Rachel.
Excited: The retired boxer broke the news in a sweet Instagram post on Saturday with a ultrasound picture showing off the tot who will be born into the world in July 2018
The now recovered boxer was first diagnosed with bipolar in 1998 and he has been sectioned three times under the Mental Health Act in 2003.
Recalling the moment, he told The Express: ‘Being sectioned, police coming down to my house and an ambulance taking me away.
‘What was going through my mind was shame, all the neighbours know what you’re going through.’
Some-ring to tell friends: Rachel also shared a picture on her Instagram announcing the news she is expecting a baby in July
Glory days! Bruno had a highly-publicised career from 1982 to his retirement in 1996, the height of his career saw him win the WBC heavyweight title