Chris Kamara is set to make a football commentary comeback after a three-year hiatus due to a devastating speech apraxia diagnosis – ‘I thought I was done’
A footy icon is set to return to the commentary box after taking three years out to deal with health issues.
Sky Sports presenter and football analyst Chris Kamara was forced to quit his beloved job in April 2022, after developing speech apraxia, which left him barely able to speak. The mental health impact of the condition was so great that the 66-year-old Soccer Saturday icon considered taking his own life the battle’s darkest moments.
The former Swindon and Brentford midfielder will return to duties for Prime Video, covering the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Tottenham at City Ground on December 26.
The veteran presenter will be joined by his old Sky pal Jeff Stelling. Kamara posted on X: “He shared on X: “Best phone call ever this afternoon inviting me to do the Forest v Spurs game on Boxing Day – reporting back to the Unbelievable @JeffStelling in the studio.
“I thought I was done, so it’s a big thank you Amazon – I’m back.”
The announcement follows the news that pundit has buddied up with his friend Ben Shephard and ex-Goals on Saturday co-host, for a new travel series.
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”.
While Kamara’s return to the small screen indicates he is on the road to recovery, he is not yet back to full health. Kamara said his voice was “slowly coming back” thanks to treatment in Mexico, which has been “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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