Chris Kamara was overcome with emotion and broke down in tears as he spoke about his struggles after being diagnosed with apraxia of speech.
The popular sports presenter, 65, was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and then apraxia of speech in 2021, which led to him stepping away from most of his broadcasting duties.
Apraxia is a poorly understood neurological disorder that affects the body’s ability to perform natural motor functions, and apraxia of speech is a specific motor speech disorder that makes speaking difficult.
Chris has now released his new memoir, Kammy: My Unbelievable Life, and talks about his apraxia while promoting the book on Good Morning Britain on Thursday.
The former Sky Sports presenter broke down in tears as he was overcome with emotion and admitted he was “ashamed” of his speech problems.
Struggles: Chris Kamara was overcome with emotion and broke down in tears as he spoke about his struggles after being diagnosed with apraxia of speech
Excitement: The former Sky Sports presenter burst into tears on GMB and was comforted by Susanna Reid as he admitted he was “ashamed” of his speech problem.
“I thought that defined me. It makes me angry when I talk about it because I deny it, I’m ashamed that I can’t speak,” he admitted as host Susanna held out her hand to comfort him.
“I didn’t want to be a burden, I’ve spent my life looking after my family and I don’t want to be in a position where they have to look after me, but they would be happy to… I was clear how wrong I was.’
Susanne comforted him and said kindly: “To be honest, you have nothing to be ashamed of.” Just let me take your hand. “You have done so much to inspire other people.”
Speaking to hosts Susanna and Ben Shephard, he also told how fellow guest Kate Garraway recommended an experimental treatment in Mexico that he said helped.
Kate explained that her Covid-stricken husband Derek Draper was also treated for apraxia of speech while discussing Chris’ treatment.
She said: “I was nervous talking to you about it.” It’s something Derek was treated for. I couldn’t guarantee anything because they couldn’t. It’s very new, but it helped you, didn’t it?
Chris also thanked host Ben for his help after telling how the presenter persuaded him to open up about his speech impediment when viewers thought he was slurring his speech.
“Can I say a big thank you to Ben because without your help none of this would have happened,” Chris said through tears.
Tears: “I thought that defined me. It upsets me to talk about it because I was in denial, I was ashamed that I couldn’t speak,” he said
Friendly: Susanne comforted him and said kindly: “Honestly, you have nothing to be ashamed of.” Just let me take your hand. You have done so much to inspire other people.
Support: Chris also thanked host Ben for his help after sharing how the presenter persuaded him to open up about his speech impediment when viewers thought he was slurring his speech
Ben then went over to Chris and hugged him as he was overcome with emotion in a sweet moment.
As they hugged, Ben joked: “Laura, can we please find out the weather now?” That’s really embarrassing.’
Chris, affectionately known as Kammy, previously told how his close friend Ben persuaded him to reveal his diagnosis on GMB in March 2022.
He said: “I’m so glad Ben spoke to me about doing GMB because in many ways I would say I’m 70% better since that day.” Acceptance was the hardest thing but now I have I have a clear determination to help other people with speech disorders.”
What is Apraxia of Speech?
Apraxia of speech is a motor speech disorder that makes speaking difficult.
This disorder can make it very difficult to pronounce the correct sounds and words and can be observed as slurring.
It is caused by damage to the parts of the brain that control muscle movement, resulting in apraxia of speech.
Chris established himself as one of the most popular and celebrated football sports broadcasters during his career at Sky Sports, but left the channel last year after 24 years due to his language problems.
He recently revealed that he once considered ending his life while struggling with a diagnosis of apraxia.
In an extract from his new book, published by the Daily Mirror, he admitted he had considered suicide in his darkest moments as he did not want to be a burden to his wife Anne.
“I’m going to admit something now, something I’ve never mentioned before,” Kamara wrote. “It’s hard for me to talk about this, so bear with me.”
“I was worried about where I would end up. Would my physical and neurological decline continue? And I was more worried about the impact it would have on the people around me.
“I am a man who has always wanted to help, care for, love and nourish the people around me.” And now I could only see myself as a burden. A shell of the man I once was that they had to take care of.’
“Seeing myself like that was like staring into an abyss. I could never reconcile that image in my head. It was unthinkable.’
“And at that point I thought, ‘They would be better off without me’.”
Chris wrote that sharing his struggles made him realize that even though he continued to suffer from the illness, his future might not be “bleak.”
The star has struggled to overcome his speech problems and recently returned to the screen to co-host The Games and Ninja Warrior UK.
The former midfielder, who played for nine English professional clubs over a 20-year career, was forced to give up several presenting roles due to his apraxia.
Heartbreaking: Chris recently revealed he once considered ending his own life as he struggled to cope with a diagnosis of apraxia
Health: The 65-year-old broadcaster was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and then apraxia of speech in 2021, which led him to step down from most of his broadcasting duties
In December, a documentary called “Lost For Words” aired about how Kamara copes with the illness.
Kamara received an MBE earlier this year, recognizing his services to football, charity and anti-racism.
During his 24 years on Soccer Saturday, Kamara became known for his catchphrase “Unbelievable Jeff” when describing a big moment in a game where Jeff Stelling was a guest.
He also famously missed a red card when Portsmouth’s Anthony Vanden Borre was sent off against Blackburn in April 2010.
For confidential support call Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch. For more information, visit www.samaritans.org.