Chris Kamara opens up on his battle with apraxia: 'It’s really strange'

Sky Sports pundit Chris Kamara during the Sky Bet League One match at the Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster. Picture date: Tuesday January 26, 2021. (Photo by Zac Goodwin/PA Images via Getty Images)
Chris Kamara was diagnosed with apraxia earlier this year. (PA Images via Getty Images)

Chris Kamara has opened up about his battle with apraxia after getting diagnosed with the neurological condition earlier this year.

The condition, which affects the body's motor function and often creates issues with speech, forced Kamara to step away from the majority of his broadcasting roles, most notably on Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday.

Kamara has now appeared on Steven Bartlett's Diary of a CEO podcast to talk about his diagnosis and how it has affected him.

Read more: Chris Kamara shares underactive thyroid diagnosis

The 64-year-old former footballer said: "I feel a fraud now in terms of broadcasting; I don't bring to the table what I used to."

The Ninja Warrior UK host added: "So that's hard, my life away from the screen couldn't be any better. Grandkids, family, it's perfect. I feel I'm doing these programmes and they're not getting the best of me, but they're tolerating me, that's how it feels."

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Pictured: Ben Shephard, Rochelle Humes and Chris Kamara.

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Ben Shephard, Rochelle Humes and Chris Kamara host Ninja Warrior UK: Race For Glory. (ITV)

While leaving his role on Sky Sports due to it being a live broadcast, Kamara has continued to work for ITV on a number of shows, including Ninja Warrior UK, that are pre-recorded.

Kamara also discussed the impact the condition has had on his voice: "It feels like someone has taken over my voice box. The voice that used to come out would come out at 300 miles an hour, you’ve seen me on the results and Soccer Saturday, motormouth, talking and not even waiting for a breath, just keep going and going.

"Now when I hear myself or see myself on TV it’s someone else. It’s really strange."

Leeds United player Chris Kamara celebrates in the dressing room after Leeds United had gained promotion to the 1st Division, after a Division two match at Dean Court between AFC Bournemouth and Leeds United on May 5, 1990 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo Radders/ Allsport/Getty Images)
Chris Kamara when he played for Leeds United. (Getty Images)

Kamara has also been busy making a podcast with Ben Shephard for the BBC about football entitled Kammy & Ben’s Proper Football Podcast. Guests on the podcast include former England manager Sam Allardyce and current Leicester City coach Brendan Rogers.

Before becoming a TV pundit and broadcaster, Kamara was a professional footballer who played for the likes of Brentford, Swindon Town and Leeds.

Watch below: Chris Kamara on how football can unite.