Sky Sports personality Chris Kamara has shared that he apologized to his wife after initially keeping his health issues a secret from her and other close family members.
The 67-year-old broadcaster was diagnosed with speech apraxia in March 2022, which led him to step back from his popular role on the show Soccer Saturday.
Kamara, affectionately known as `Kammy`, admitted to The Mirror during Mental Health Awareness week that he initially hid his condition from his wife, Anne, and his sons.
“They spotted the signs (that I was struggling),” he said. “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.”
He added, “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 explained that when he first noticed difficulties with his speech, he feared he might be developing a serious condition like dementia or Alzheimer`s, which severely affected his mental health.
“It was a really tough period,” he recalled. “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.”
He also revealed that undergoing therapy was crucial in helping him manage his mental health challenges and come to terms with his condition.
“I kept thinking, for over 18 months, that it would go away,” he stated. “I just kept thinking one day I’ll wake up and I’ll be back to the person I was.”
Kamara continued, “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 made a return to sports broadcasting on Boxing Day for Amazon Prime`s coverage of the Premier League.
Reflecting on 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.”
He humorously added, “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!” he exclaimed. “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 campaigns like You’re Not Alone are important.
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
- Heads Together
- HUMEN
- Mind
- Papyrus
- Samaritans
