Beloved football pundit and former player Chris Kamara has spoken candidly about the severe mental health impact of his neurological speech condition, revealing he felt his life "flash before my eyes".
A Diagnosis That Changed Everything
The 67-year-old broadcasting icon, a mainstay on Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday for 24 years, went public with his diagnosis of apraxia of speech in 2022. This rare disorder significantly slows down both his speech and his thought processes, creating immense personal and professional hurdles.
Kamara's condition led to his departure from his cherished role on Soccer Saturday that same year. He later explored the challenges in depth for the moving ITV documentary, 'Lost For Words'.
A New Chapter: The Unbelievable Tour
Now, Kamara is embracing a fresh challenge. He is preparing to hit the road across the UK next year with his close friend and fellow TV presenter, Ben Shephard. Their live show, "Ben And Kammy’s Unbelievable Tour", will offer fans an intimate look behind the scenes of their broadcasting careers.
"I saw my life flash before my eyes, and I got a second opportunity," Kamara reflected on his journey. "So it’s the best thing in the world to go around with one of my best mates and do it all." The tour promises untold stories, backstage anecdotes, and memorable on-air mishaps from their decades in television.
Shephard's Tribute to Kamara's Resilience
Tipping Point host Ben Shephard paid a heartfelt tribute to his friend's strength. "I’ll never be able to express how much Kammy means to me," Shephard said. "His biggest opponent has been his condition — and his biggest victory is standing on a stage and sharing his story. Being beside him is a privilege."
The pair have a long history of collaboration, having presented Sky Sports’ Goals On Sunday, ITV’s Ninja Warrior UK, and their "Proper Football" podcast together.
Tour Details and Ticket Information
The "Unbelievable Tour" will visit major UK cities, offering fans a unique live experience. The schedule is as follows:
- The tour commences on 5 February.
- It will visit Middlesbrough, Portsmouth, London, and Manchester.
- The final show is on 14 June.
Tickets will be available for pre-sale on 4 December at 10am. The general sale begins on 5 December at 10am.
Kamara, who made a triumphant return to live football reporting on Boxing Day last year, continues to be praised for his openness about his mental health and career evolution since his diagnosis.
