Chris Kamara stepped down from his role as a presenter for Soccer Saturday in 2022 after revealing he had been diagnosed with apraxia, a neurological disorder that makes it difficult for him to speak
Chris Kamara and Jeff Stelling were reunited during Amazon Prime’s Boxing Day coverage of the Premier League as the broadcaster made his return to the screen amid his battle with speech apraxia.
Kamara and Stelling were one of football’s most iconic faces on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday for over two decades, as the former left fans in stitches with his hilarious commentary and gaffes while reporting on top flight matches.
However, Kamara stepped down from his role in 2022 after revealing he had been diagnosed with apraxia, a neurological disorder that makes it difficult for him to speak. Months earlier, fans had expressed concern after noticing he was slurring his words.
Kamara has been undergoing treatment for his condition in recent years and has made huge improvements – though recently admitted he once contemplated suicide and felt like a “burden” on his family.
But Kamara had a smile on his face once again as he was united with Stelling for Amazon’s Boxing Day broadcast as the pair immediately struck up their irresistible chemistry and banter.
Stelling, who left Sky for talkSport last year, welcomed him back on to present coverage of Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham as Kamara said: “Thank you, Jeff. I have got the best game of the day. When Amazon rang me up I thought they wanted me to deliver parcels, but they sent the game, yes!”
Stelling then asked about the 67-year-old’s health and commented that he looked in a great condition, to which his old colleague replied: “I’m great, Jeff. To get that call, to say I was doing this game was the biggest fill-up ever.”
Fans couldn’t hide their delight after seeing the duo back together again – as well as Kamara looking well on TV for the first time in nearly three years. One wrote on Twitter: “Thank you so much Amazon for bringing back the legend Chris Kamara,” while another said: “Oh this is beyond wonderful! What a man!”
A third said: “Love to see this. Huge part of my Saturday afternoons when watching Soccer Saturday growing up. Great to see him doing so well.” Meanwhile, a post from a buzzing supporter read: “A great Xmas present to see two of the best reunited @JeffStelling @Chris_Kammy.”
Speaking about his battle with apraxia and road to recovery, Kamara gave a heartbreaking interview admitting dark thoughts – though stressed he had a newfound appreciation for life.
“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 have 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 someone said there were a few problems at home or in their personal life which they’re down about, I would tell them wholeheartedly to get up, get on with it and just do it.
“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.”
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