SKY SPORTS legend Chris Kamara has revealed that he apologised to his wife after keeping his initial struggle over his health concerns a secret.
The 67-year-old was diagnosed with speech apraxia in March 2022 and subsequently stepped back from his role on Soccer Saturday.
Chris Kamara has opened up about how his speech apraxia diagnosis impacted his mental health[/caption]
The pundit revealed that he didn’t initially tell his wife, Anne, about his struggles[/caption]
Kamara – also known as Kammy – initially kept his struggles from his nearest and dearest, incuding his wife, Anne.
However, he now admits that wishes he opened up more.
The Sky Sports icon told The Mirror on Mental Health Awareness week: “They spotted the signs (that I was struggling). I should have talked to my wife Anne, for which I have apologised to her.
“I didn’t tell my wife what was going on.
“My family would have supported me rather than somebody I didn’t know, Anne, and my sons would have helped me in the first place.”
Kamara told how when he first realised he was having difficulties with his speech, he feared he may have been developing a condition such as dementia or Alzheimer’s – which sent his mental health spiralling.
He added: “I just did not want be a burden to my family but my illness came to fruition just before the Covid lockdown. I had these stupid thoughts.”
Kamara also revealed how therapy helped him to overcome his mental health struggles and accept his condition.
He added: “I kept thinking, for over 18 months, that it would go away.
“I just kept thinking one day I’ll wake up and I’ll be back to the person I was.
“But I have accepted the way I speak now. And that’s because of the work on my mental health.
“My therapist told me that the day you accept your condition is the day you will start getting better, and that is what happened. I can be my own worst critic but my speech has improved and I’m fine with how I sound.”
Kammy returned to sport broadcasting on Boxing Day for Amazon Prime’s coverage of the Premier League.
After his comeback, he told The Express: “If that’s my last game as a reporter, what a way to go out.
“At that time, I could hardly talk, wasn’t able to remember the players names and was slurring my words.
“When my wife told me Amazon had been on the phone I said ‘I know I am getting under your feet, but I’m not delivering parcels!’
“Andrew Hornet was on the phone asking me to work for Amazon Prime, covering the Forest v Spurs match with the unbelievable Jeff Stelling – and I loved it!
“No anxiety, no slurring, the game was good and Nottingham Forest treated me like a returning hero.”
You’re Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,www.headstogether.org.uk
- HUMEN www.wearehumen.org
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans,www.samaritans.org, 116 123