Chris Kamara has opened up about his struggles with speech apraxia, revealing that the condition has left him "very weak" and affects his balance to the point where he finds it difficult to walk down stairs.
The beloved TV presenter and former Premier League star, known for his time on 'Soccer Saturday' on Sky Sports, alarmed fans when they noticed his slurred speech, leading to a diagnosis in 2022. Kamara took some time away from the screen to undergo treatment for the neurological disorder, even traveling to Mexico in hopes of reversing or slowing its effects.
Although the 67-year-old has seen some improvement in his speech, the treatment involving radio frequency and magnetic fields eventually lost its efficacy, prompting him to cease the therapy.
Despite making a punditry comeback during the Premier League Boxing Day matches last year, Kamara now acknowledges that he must be selective with his engagements, having recently teamed up with Burton's Fish 'N' Chips. His balance issues mean he has to consider carefully what work he takes on.
"I'm choosy these days," he told the Daily Star. "That's what's happened with the work because even though I've got the acceptance of my condition, I still don't want to put myself in a situation where it comes back to bite me.
"So I'm not like the old Chris Kamara who would say yes to the opening of an envelope. Whereas now I'm a bit more choosy and will I put myself in a situation where it won't work out alongside my apraxia, I have dyspraxia, which affects your balance.
Chris Kamara
Kamara left 'Soccer Saturday' three years ago (Image: Getty Images)
"So I'm weak, really weak, and you know, going down these stairs isn't great. Going up these stairs is fine, but going down these stairs, the brain tells you you're going to fall even though you probably won't, so you have to hold on to the banister and getting on planes and things like that. Don't be in the queue behind me because I'll be 5 minutes getting down those plane steps!"
In a candid revelation last month, Kamara shared the personal struggles he's faced since his life-altering diagnosis, which has caused frequent falls and is compounded by thyroid issues in addition to his condition.
He 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 brain tells me that I am going to fall, and unfortunately I often do."
For 24 years, Kamara was a staple on 'Soccer Saturday,' entertaining viewers with his unique take on football coverage alongside host Jeff Stelling, after joining Sky Sports in 1999.
His humor and memorable commentary, including mistaken moments such as failing to notice a red card issued in a match between Portsmouth and Blackburn, which he thought was a substitution, endeared him to fans, along with his renowned catchphrase: "Unbelievable Jeff."
Kamara has openly discussed his mental health challenges following his diagnosis, acknowledging last year how he sometimes felt like a "burden" on his family.
"I felt sorry for myself when the condition came along and I didn't know what to do or how to cope with it," he said. "You have stupid thoughts. You think you've got Alzheimer's or dementia.
"I didn't want to be a burden to my family, so you think about taking yourself out of the game. Thankfully, all of those stupid thoughts have gone now and I'm working through it, on the mend. How could I ever of thought of not being in this world with my grandkids? I love them and I appreciate life.
"I didn't understand mental health, I'll be honest with you. If you were a type of person who said, 'I don't feel like training today', I'd say what's the matter with you. Now, I realise that I was totally wrong.
"The majority of people who are genuinely honest and have depression, anxiety and have mental health problems need help as best as they possibly can. The start is talking to someone about it. I did that and it's helped me immensely."