what happened to chris kamara

Chris Kamara stepped back from regular TV football work in 2022 after developing a rare neurological speech condition, but he has since returned for selected broadcasts and says his health and speech have improved, even if he “isn’t who he was” before the illness.

What happened to Chris Kamara?

Quick Scoop

• He was diagnosed with apraxia of speech (AOS) around March 2022, after earlier thyroid issues, which affected his speech and processing speed on air.

• Viewers first noticed slurred or slow speech during broadcasts, leading to concern and questions about his health.

• Kamara chose to step away from his long‑running Soccer Saturday role and wider Sky Sports work in 2022 after 24 years, saying he’d had “the time of my life” but needed to prioritise his health.

• He has spoken openly about “dark days,” anxiety, and regret that he did not seek medical help earlier, saying he might have prevented some of the impact.

• Since late 2024 he has made emotional, one‑off returns to football broadcasting (for example, Forest v Spurs on Boxing Day with Jeff Stelling) and has described that invitation as the “best phone call ever.”

• In 2025 he shared that his speech is “much improved,” though he still has balance issues, and says there is “no downside to being me” because of the support he receives.

• He’s also taken on other TV and acting opportunities, including roles in a film, a sitcom and earlier appearances in shows like Ted Lasso and Emmerdale.

How his health issues started

• In 2021 Kamara was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid, and by March 2022 he was told he had apraxia of speech.

• Apraxia of speech means you know what you want to say, but your lips, tongue and jaw don’t coordinate properly, so the words come out slowly or slurred.

• Fans began to notice something was wrong during live appearances and even wondered if he had been drinking, which pushed him to explain publicly what was happening.

“Suffering made me realise the importance of speaking to people… If you don’t tell them, they can’t help you.”

Stepping away from Soccer Saturday

• Kamara left his Sky Sports roles at the end of the 2022–23 season after 24 years, saying his time there “never felt like work” and that he left with the best of memories.

• He has described that period as incredibly testing, both physically and mentally, with “dark days” and severe anxiety about whether he could still perform live on air.

• He has since admitted his “big regret” is not getting medical help sooner and trying to power through the symptoms.

Comeback and latest news

• In December 2024 he accepted an invitation to report on Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham for Amazon’s Boxing Day Premier League coverage, reuniting with Jeff Stelling; he called it the “best phone call ever” and announced “I’m back.”

• In interviews through 2025 he said his speech is “on the mend” and more fluent, though his balance can still look worse than it feels.

• He has hinted that his Boxing Day appearance could be a “final ending” to his classic live‑reporting career, but he also leaves the door open to the odd future appearance if it feels right.

How he’s doing now

• Kamara says he’s “not the same person” he was before the illness, but feels positive and grateful, stressing that the public’s kindness has made a huge difference.

• He’s remained active with charity and awareness work, speaks more openly about mental health, and encourages others not to ignore symptoms the way he once did.

• Thanks to improved health and confidence, he has taken up more varied TV and acting roles, including film and sitcom offers, and is open to continuing in those areas.

TL;DR: Chris Kamara developed apraxia of speech and thyroid‑related issues that forced him to step back from regular live football broadcasting in 2022, but treatment and support have helped him recover enough to make special TV comebacks and pursue new projects, even if he feels he’s had to accept a “new normal” with his health.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.