Chris Kamara set for TV return as soccer legend successful speech apraxia battle
Football legend Chris Kamara was forced to give up the job he loved because of his speech apraxia battle.
The Soccer Saturday icon retired from Sky Sports in April 20202 due to the disorder, which left him barely able to speak. The 65-year-old told how in his darkest moments the devastating condition made him consider ending his own life.
But after more than two decades as one of football’s funniest and most well-loved pundits, he is set for a remarkable return. He’ll be joined by his friend Ben Shephard, with whom he co-hosted weekend round-up Goals on Saturday, for a new travel series.
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Shephard, 49, told the Daily Mail the new programme is set to be “me and Kammy going around the UK in a campervan and exploring the various regions of the UK together”. Kamara revealed his voice was “slowly coming back” thanks to treatment in Mexico, which he described as “such a help”.
He said: “I’ve been there twice now. I’m going back for a third time. I’ve got the fluency in my speech. The only thing I haven’t got is the speed of old, I know I talk 300 miles an hour before, but I’d like that back if I can. So I’m going back for more treatment.”
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(Image: Adam Gerrard / OK! Magazine)
Shephard joked: “I used to get annoyed at Kammy, and say ‘If only you would think before you spoke’, and now he’s thinking too long. It’s about trying to find a balance.”
The comments were made at Iain Dale’s All Talk event at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. According to the Daily Mail, it’s understood the pair hope to enjoy the same success as chefs Gordon Ramsay, Gino D’Acampo and maitre d’ Fred Sirieix’s hit ITV series Gordon, Gino and Fred: Road Trip, and shows like Jack Whitehall’s Travels with My Father on Neftlix.
Kamara sang on the smash ITV series The Masked Singer to prove his condition wasn’t holding him back and during Euro 2024 was serenaded by England supporters out in Germany who showed their love for the fan favourite. He credited his friend Shephard with aiding his recovery. He and Shephard also presented Ninja Warrior in 2022, until the show was axed.
(Image: ITV)
Kamara said: “I’ve come through it with the help of the likes of Ben who have rallied around me. Now you think back and why was I thinking those thoughts? Get on and enjoy your life. And thankfully, I’ve been able to do that.”
A tough-tackling midfielder in his playing days, Kamara starred for Portsmouth, Swindon Town, Brentford, Stoke City, Leeds United, Luton Town, Sheffield United and his hometown club Middlesbrough. He helped Swindon to two successive promotions into the Second Division and while at Leeds was part of the team that won the Second Division title.
A spell at Bradford City as player coach saw him appointed manager, before he guided them away from relegation battle and promoted to the First Division via the play-offs, later managing Stoke City before turning his skills to TV presenting and punditry.
