Chris Kamara is set to participate in the Great North Run over four years since he was diagnosed with speech apraxia. The former footballer and Sky Sports pundit revealed his diagnosis in 2022 and stepped away from his broadcasting career that same year.
The neurological disorder affects the brain's ability to plan and coordinate movements needed to speak clearly. Kamara, 68, has been open about his journey with the condition and recently discussed his health during an appearance on ITV's This Morning last month.
Speaking about his condition
Speaking to Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard, Kamara said: "I'm feeling great, my voice has quickened up and I'm so much better." The former midfielder will be joined by his son Jack and Shephard for Sunday's race, which is the largest half-marathon in the world and will be broadcast live on BBC One.
He discussed the impact the TV presenter has had during his speech apraxia journey, telling Shephard: "You kept onto me, my carer there, he's been amazing. He's been there for me the whole time, he looks after me so much, but having someone behind you keep saying, 'You're still the same person as you were before', is amazing."
He further detailed his experience with the diagnosis in May on Good Morning Britain when asked by host Ranvir Singh how he was coping. Kamara replied: "Ah, I'm great. Yeah, I'm fine. I'm not the same person as I was, but I accept the new me now, and everybody else seems to accept it, so you get on with life. I had apraxia of speech, a brain injury. So, the message from the brain to the mouth is interrupted. So, sometimes you can't speak, or you speak slower." He admitted it's important to "accept the person you are now and not crave the person you were before. And then you can get on."
Prostate Cancer UK support
Kamara will be entering the Great North Run in support of Prostate Cancer UK and last month revealed his own cancer scare after going through testing in 2024. He had undergone a routine blood test that showed an above-average PSA level - a potential sign of the disease.
He then went through several more checks and monitoring before being informed that he didn't have prostate cancer. Taking to X to describe the experience, Kamara wrote: "Had some good news from @ProstateUK that blokes using the risk checker after my appeal in the paper last week, went up by a THIRD. They know from experience that this will prompt a number men to see their doctor. Unfortunately, some will get a diagnosis- BUT thankfully early enough to save their lives."
Kamara has enjoyed a decade-long association with Prostate Cancer UK and told the Mirror how vital early diagnosis. He said: "Any man would feel scared about the prospect of getting prostate cancer. I've been working with the charity for more than a decade, so I know that early diagnosis is absolutely key. As men, it’s so important we look after ourselves and keep an eye on any changes. I do get up in the night to pee more now. But that’s a symptom of other conditions too, so check with your GP. And I know none of us likes going to the doctor about ‘problems below the belt’ - but it’s a mountain you have to climb, so just do it."
Return to broadcasting
Despite stepping away from broadcasting upon his diagnosis, Kamara made a stunning return to the airwaves in 2024 as part of the reporting team in Amazon Prime's coverage of the Premier League's Boxing Day matches.
