MUCH-LOVED TV presenter Chris Kamara has become a familiar face on our screens for over 20 years – but his whole world was turned upside down after he received a life-changing diagnosis in 2022.
Now the Sky Sports pundit, 67, has spoken in detail about being forced to take a step back from his broadcasting career two years ago after he was diagnosed with apraxia of speech (AOS).
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Apraxia of speech is when a person struggles to speak due to a problem in areas of the brain associated with planned movement. The brain struggles to control the muscles that are used to form words.
Stroke is a common cause, but it may also be caused by a head injury, brain tumours, dementia or progressive neurological disorders. It is not clear what the cause is of Chris’ condition.
In an exclusive interview with The Sun, Chris revealed that he travelled to Mexico for treatment in a bid to help reverse and slow down some of the symptoms associated with the condition, including issues with his balance and coordination, related to his battle with dyspraxia.
Although it initially helped, the star admitted it became less effective after three rounds, resulting in him stopping all treatment abroad.
Chris had been to the NeuroCytonix clinic in Monterrey. The treatment involved a machine that used radio frequency and magnetic fields to transmit into the body, similar to an MRI.
The football pundit, also known as Kammy, has now admitted that his family want him to “stop chasing the old him” and to accept his diagnosis.
Chris said: “In so many ways, the diagnosis has changed my life, I am no longer the person I used to be, so I would be lying if I said it hasn’t changed me.”
The TV presenter, who has been on our screen for over two decades, also said he was fearful of losing his job when he was first diagnosed.
Chris opened up about how he’s coping with his condition – but said he wished he had sought medical attention sooner than he did after waiting for 18 months.
Despite having to learn a whole new way of living, Chris does not want his diagnosis to define him or his career and believe he has many more years left on TV after being inundated with job offers.
Chris told The Sun: “I had a great career, hopefully I can continue in some capacity now that my voice and speech has improved. In so many ways [it’s changed my life] I am no longer the person I used to be, so I would be lying if I said it hasn’t changed me.
“Of course the old me, as far as my sense of humour and how I converse with people, is still within me, it’s just not so easy for me to convey it naturally any more.”
Chris, who made a surprise return to punditry on Boxing Day last year, said his retirement is not on the cards yet, despite his speech being “unreliable”.
TV CAREER FEARS
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The football analyst spent 24 years presenting Soccer Saturday alongside Jeff Stelling but stepped back in 2022 after his diagnosis.
Chris said about the future of his TV career: “I am being offered opportunities all the time, so I can’t rule it out.
“Unfortunately, speech is what is needed for presenting, and mine has become unreliable as far as speed goes.
“There has been massive improvements with the clarity of my speech and I no longer struggle to ‘find’ words, which was a big problem a couple of years ago.
“My family constantly remind that I used to speak at ‘100 miles an hour’ anyway, which is quite unusual, so I should relax into speaking more slowly, which I now do.”
He shared his excitement about his recent TV appearance, saying: “Returning to punditry on Boxing Day, working with Jeff Stelling again was so special, something I didn’t envisage ever happening again.
“Of course I missed working with him, and on football in particular, but much as I would love to resume or repeat it, I am realistic enough to know it is unlikely to happen again.
“I am still very much in demand, which I find remarkable, and have lots of charity work to keep me occupied, so being scared of retiring is not an option for me – I’ll keep going as long as I am needed.
“It feels like I’ve had several careers, footballer, football management, TV – highlights are many and they will always stay with me.”
What is apraxia of speech?
Apraxia of speech is a condition which makes talking difficult, with sufferers knowing what they’d like to say, but having trouble communicating their words.
The NHS says that the condition can be extremely frustrating for people.
They explained: “Frequently the person with apraxia will have difficulties with conversational speech. However they may be good at ‘automatic’ speech tasks such as counting, swearing, repeating rhymes, greetings and farewell.
It’s usually caused by damage to the left side of the brain, such as a stroke.
The condition does not affect a person’s understanding and the symptoms of the condition can vary occurring to the severity of the disorder.
The main symptoms are:
- being able to say a word correctly one minute and then not the next
- difficulty at the beginning of words
- greater difficulty with longer words
- aware of mistakes but unable to correct them
- speaking slowly
- being better at ‘automatic tasks’ such as counting and singing.
He admitted the last few years may have put a pause his TV career, but he has now called on his celebrity pals for a new project.
Chris said: “Whatever I am involved in, I always give it 100 per cent, that is necessary when working alongside such pros as Jeff Stelling and the old Soccer Saturday gang, Ben Shephard and Rochelle, Steph McGovern – maybe a talk show involving all my old pals would work – are you listening Jonathan Ross?”
HEALTH SETBACK
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Despite remaining upbeat and positive, Chris is understandably aware that the condition has completely changed his life.
Known for his humour, quick wit and comedy gold one-liners, Chris said it’s not only his speech that’s been affected.
The star said his symptoms can present itself with other physical symptoms that can leave him unsteady on his feet.
Opening up about his daily setbacks, Chris said: “Not working as much as I previously did, not being able to exercise as vigorously as I’d like, at the onset I feared working on TV due to not knowing how my voice and speech would be.”
The star admitted the most terrifying thing is “how quickly his health will deteriorate and the unknown.”
He told us: “Alongside apraxia, and also thyroid problems which have come to light, I am also battling with dyspraxia which affects my co-ordination and balance.
“This can be quite scary, especially since some would say I used to be super fit.
“The brain tells me that I am going to fall, and unfortunately I often do, but in certain situations I panic that this will happen when logically it won’t but I don’t have the confidence to ignore it – resulting in a few nervy minutes.”
Chris admitted he wished he had gone to his GP for help instead of waiting 18 months before seeking help.
FAMILY SUPPORT
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The former professional footballer initially didn’t tell devoted wife Anne that he was suffering even when she noticed he was having problems with his speech.
But he recalled the moment he was told about his diagnosis, as he heartbreakingly said: “I didn’t want to be a burden to my family”.
“I was with my wife when I went to see the neurologist and received my diagnosis,” he shared.
“I was worried about how my speech and health would decline in the future.
“I was devastated, not knowing what would be in store for the future.
“It initially started with a slow decline in my strength and balance, with the speech suddenly stumbling and not flowing.
“I already knew for too long that something ‘not good’ was happening with my body, so getting the results was at least an answer to what was going on.
“Almost like I knew I wasn’t going to be cured overnight. So my biggest concern was for my family.
“I didn’t want to be a burden to them. This stayed with me for a while and I was totally out of order in this respect.
“My family just want to be there for me, as we have always been for one another, nothing has changed.”
TREATMENT ABROAD
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Last year, Chris praised friend and GMB presenter Kate Garraway for urging him to seek “experimental therapy” in Mexico.
Chris visited on three occasions in a bid to help him get back to his old self, but has now revealed that will be his final session.
He said: “I researched treatment for myself in Mexico and have been there three times now but do not intend to continue.
“The improvement first time was very noticeable, not quite as much for the second and third time, so I have come to accept that the person I currently am is me going forward.
“I am currently on no medication, just gentle exercise and regular speech practice.
“My family are happy with me and, judging from the inquires made, I am still in demand and can still put a smile on peoples faces.”
NO STOPPING CHRIS
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Chris’ work does not end with his TV appearances, he’s increasingly become more hands on with his charity work and raising awareness.
“I am involved with several charities – in Westminster this week, badgering the Health Care Minister, Stephen Kinnock, regarding funding for speech and language therapy,” Chris said.
“There are 1.8 million children in the UK suffering with speech defects and currently not enough funds or therapists to help these kids… not to mention the adults.
“I have been involved with Marie Curie for many years and more than happy to raise awareness in this way – it was great fun to be out on the streets, with the generous people of Leeds dipping into their pockets to fill buckets for the Marie Curie Great Daffodil Appeal.
“Such an amazing job the charity does to help with end of life care, I love it.”
Chris took to the streets of Leeds as Marie Curie’s newest volunteer last month.
He helped to kick off the end of life charity’s Great Daffodil Appeal, as he raised money for the month-long fundraiser.
He has been an ambassador for Marie Curie since 2010, passionately supporting the charity’s mission after his mother Irene was cared for by the charity after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Although his diagnosis was something Chris had never envisaged, he is doing his best to remain on top of the situation.
He said: “I have come to terms with my condition and feel I am on the mend or at least happy that I can cope with current health situation.
“I was most concerned with my speech problems, but my family were more concerned with other symptoms which were bothering me, and still are to some extents.
“This would be my balance and coordination – I just have to be careful not to attempt moving suddenly in quick or awkward movements which could result in me losing balance, from which I can no longer recover so easily.
“Yes, it was a scary and emotional journey for me, and my family but we took all the advice offered and have all accepted this is the ‘new me’.
“I’m coping very well at the moment. Strength and balance can still cause problems but speech is much improved since two years ago.
“My health has stabilised – or should I say I am no longer waiting for the time I can go back to doing things I used to do.
“I have accepted that I will not be running a marathon any time soon and I can cope with that now.
“I am in a better place mentally now than I have been since the condition was diagnosed.
“I have learned to go with it and accept this new me.”
Chris wife Anne Kamara and sons Jack and Ben have stood by his side ever since learning of the news.
The TV star said his family have urged him to “stop chasing the old me,” and saying “they love me as I am”.
While his therapist shared an important piece of advice with him, which Chris is hoping he can share with others in his situation.
He said: ” My therapist Daniel McDermid said ‘the day you tell everyone about your condition, is the day you will start to heal’ – I should have done this much sooner.”
Chris insisted to other suffering with apraxia: ” Talk to people, family friends and professionals… unlike me.”
NINJA WARRIOR AXE
Chris was also keen to touch on ITV game show Ninja Warrior being axed in 2022.
It launched on ITV in 2015 and Chris hosted alongside Rochelle Humes and Ben Shepherd until the final series in 2021.
It was reported at the time that ITV had been forced to axe Ninja Warrior, as the reboot of Gladiators has smashed it in the ratings.
But Chris has now revealed that the show’s cancellation had nothing to do with ratings.
He said: “I am gutted that there are no plans to resurrect Ninja Warrior – it would be so good to hook up with Ben Shephard and Rochelle Humes again, we had a special thing going on, loving every minute of putting the show together.
“Contrary to reports, Ninja Warrior was axed due to high production costs. Such a shame for Ninja Warrior fans.”
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