Chris Kamara bravely opens up on diagnosis that leaves him struggling to talk

Chris Kamara is a footballing icon in every sense of the word, whether it be for his playing days or arguably even more famously, his broadcasting career.

After hanging up his boots, Kammy turned his hand to broadcasting, making a huge name for himself as part of the Soccer Saturday team that became quintessential for football fans up and down the country.

He was sent to the stadiums to report into the studio live from the ground, sharing great banter with his colleagues in the studio, having a real rapport with them all, especially host, Jeff Stelling.

‘I don’t know Jeff, has there?’

Back in 2010, he was sent to Fratton Park to report for Sky Sports on Portsmouth vs Blackburn Rovers, not a classic game by any stretch, but it certainly went down in the history books thanks to Kammy.

Stelling goes to Kammy for an update on who has been sent off, but hilariously, Kammy knows absolutely nothing about it and seems completely bamboozled by the suggestion.

It created the iconic ‘I don’t know Jeff, has there?’ line from Kammy, with the entire studio in absolute stitches, anyone who follows football knows that clip.

MILTON KEYNES, ENGLAND – APRIL 22: Sky TV pundit Chris Kamara talks to MK Dons manager Karl Robinson prior to the npower League One match between MK Dons and Huddersfield Town at Stadium mk on April 22, 2011 in Milton Keynes, England. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)

Although he made a name for himself with his bravado and funny personality, there’s no denying that he has been one of the best broadcasters of his generation, with many aspiring to be the next Chris Kamara.

Video: Kammy’s hilarious reaction to missing a red card Chirs Kamara quits Sky Sports

After being a prevalent figure on the premium broadcaster in the UK for 24 years, Kammy called it quits with the company following his health problems at the end of the 2021/22 season.

Whether it be on Soccer Saturday or Goals on Sunday, Kammy lit up our screens for over two decades, before deciding to hang up his microphone on those shows.

BARNSLEY, ENGLAND – APRIL 10: TV Commentator Chris Kamara is seen in the stands during the Sky Bet Championship match between Barnsley and Middlesbrough at Oakwell Stadium on April 10, 2021 in Barnsley, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

Devastatingly, Kammy was diagnosed with speech apraxia, rendering him struggling to talk at all, a major aspect of his job, although he hasn’t walked away from the media completely.

He is a host on Ninja Warrior UK amongst other projects, with his colleagues and bosses accepting that he may not be the same as he was before, but his charisma is unmatched and he fully deserves that spot on our screens still.

What is speech apraxia?

Speech apraxia is a speaking disorder where someone has trouble communicating. You know what you want to say, but have difficulty getting your lips, jaw or tongue to move in the proper way when the brain sends the message to the mouth.

It can have a variety of causes from damage to certain parts of your brain, specifically the area that controls how the muscles move. So, you could suffer from speech apraxia as a result of having a stroke, traumatic brain injury, dementia, brain tumours or brain diseases.

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – JUNE 09: Retired English footballer Chris Kamara (in red) conducts a coaching clinic with children in the Fisantekraal Township on June 9, 2010 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

There is currently no cure for speech apraxia, however, regular and intensive speech therapy can help the motor skills pick up. Kammy has admitted he couldn’t even talk at one stage it was that bad, so to see him being able to carry on his career is a testament to his character and strength.

Kammy bares all

Recently, Kammy has sat down with Steven Bartlett for his podcast The Diary of a CEO, with the Dragons’ Den star asking some real probing questions.

In a promotional clip released, we see a real vulnerable side to Kammy who doesn’t hold back and is incredibly brave in his words.

He says: “Every day I wake up, the first thing I think: ‘am I gonna be able to talk today?’”

Kammy continues: “As a young black kid, thinking that one day I’ll play for Middlesbrough and for Leeds. Ambition and dream, achieved.”

Bartlett then asks his guest about the problems he had at home, admitting the story with his mother was hard to read, with the broadcasting legend retorting: “It was difficult in those days. Men were physical towards women. I made the mistake of telling my dad on his deathbed, that it was wrong. I should’ve kept it to myself.”

The clip shows Kammy being asked what it is like having apraxia, basically, what does it feel like for those that don’t experience it, Kammy’s response was heartbreaking, he admitted: “I feel like a fraud now in terms of broadcasting… I was gonna quit everything.”

Video: Chris Kamara’s interview promo with Steven Bartlett

Thankfully, Kammy didn’t quit everything and still appears on our screens for the BBC and ITV, with his legacy growing even stronger with his incredibly brave story.

To get up in front of the cameras not knowing if you’ll be able to speak takes incredible courage, something many would struggle to do if in his shoes.

He’s an inspiration to everyone out there that no matter how bad it gets, you can always carry on living your dreams and achieving anything you want.

It makes Kammy an even better broadcaster to be able to battle what he is and continue to produce the goods for his employers, he’s the furthest thing from a fraud you could ever find.

Icon, Inspiration, Legend, thank you, Kammy, carry on smashing it!

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