He is the people's champion who became a world champion.

Boxing legend Frank Bruno, arguably one of the country's best-love sportsmen, will be telling a Bournemouth audience all about his professional and personal life when he visit the town.

The former WBC Heavyweight Champion of the World will be hosting An Evening With... at the town's Hilton Hotel next month with a three-course meal, chat show style interview and audience Q and A.

Between courses, guests will also be helping to fundraise for the Dorset Children's Foundation, which aims to improve the lives of sick and disabled children by providing financial support towards medical expenses, therapies, equipment and life-enriching experiences not normally provided by the NHS, between courses.

Bruno will be taking to the stage after dinner for an extended interview, interspersed with video footage, as well as taking questions from the audience.

The larger than life character had a short, but very successful amateur career, becoming a professional boxer in 1982, starting with 21 consecutive wins by knockout.

Competing in very much a golden era for heavyweight boxing, through his career Bruno fought legends such as Joe Bugner, Tim Witherspoon, James "Bonecrusher" Smith, Lennox Lewis and most famously, in Las Vegas against Mike Tyson - capturing the hearts of the British nation and becoming an MBE in 1990.

Following three brave but ultimately unsuccessful attempts at a world title, his dream was finally realised in 1994 at Wembley Stadium against reigning WBC title holder American Oliver McCall.

Away from boxing, Bruno's enduring popularity has enabled him to work successfully in panto, TV, advertising and on the sporting speaker circuit.

But his life has had more than its fair share of ups and downs. In 2003, the father of four was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder, his well documented illness putting him in the public eye.

He has since used this media attention to help with the stigma attached to mental health issues and supports many charities for mental health on an ongoing basis.

The event comes ahead of the launch of Bruno's book, Let's Be Frank, in which he talks about his battle with mental illness, his time inside a mental facility, the impact his illness has had on his family and his career – and his long road back to stability. His story offers his own unique perspective on living with bipolar disorder.

The book is available from October 21, with autographed copies and pre-orders available from frankbruno.co.uk

An Evening With Frank Bruno is at the Hilton Hotel in Bournemouth on Thursday, September 21. Tickets are priced £65 for individuals, £600 for tables of ten, or £850 for VIP tables, available via Eventbrite, eventsinfo@jldfreelance.co.uk or 0781 4886196.

To find out more, visit frankbruno.co.uk; Facebook Frank Bruno; twitter frankbrunoboxer

Here, Bruno gives Seven Days a taste of what audiences can expect on the night, as he answers some quick-fire questions...

Q. You last splashed out on what?

A. My Bentley.

Q. The one thing in your wardrobe you will never get rid of?

A. My MBE suit.

Q. What’s your best investment?

A. Investing my time into boxing.

Q. The best party you have ever been to?

A. The after party of the fight between Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield in America.

Q. What is your earliest memory?

A. Going to the Chelsea match with my dad.

Q. What sort of child were you?

A. Inquisitive and hungry for success.

Q. As a child what did you want to be ?

A. A boxer.

Q. What was your biggest achievement apart from your boxing winning the World Championship?

A. Having my four children.

Q. And your biggest disappointment apart from losing in boxing?

A. Not spending as much time with them as I would like to.

Q. What would you like to be better at.?

A. Reading and writing.

Q. What is your best character trait?

A. My sense of humour.

Q. And your worst?

A. Being very very messy and pretending I didn't see it.

Q. Acting or singing which would you like to do if you had a chance to become a professional?

A. Acting of course I was a pantomime star! Ha ha!

Q. On a day off we’d find you...?

A. In the gym or Champneys.

Q. Starstruck moment?

A. When I met Michael Jackson.

Q. Career highlight?

A. Winning the world title.

Q. Favourite tipple?

A. Jamaican punch.

Q. Hangover cure?

A. I only ever had a hangover once when I was eight and I've never got drunk since.

Q. Top of your bucket list?

A. To go on Richard Branson's new rocket to the moon.

Q. Big break?

A. Meeting Terry Lawless (my boxing manager).

Q. Philosophy of life?

A. To be happy you're here on borrowed time.