Chris Kamara was left in floods of tears as he spoke out about his difficulty with a rare speech condition during Britain Get Singing on Sunday, insisting his life is back on track after a two-year struggle.
Apraxia is a little-understood neurological condition that affects the body’s ability to perform natural motor functions and causes him to speak more slowly.
Chris established himself as one of football’s best loved and most celebrated sports broadcasters during his career on Sky Sports but he has recently stepped out of the spotlight following his diagnosis.
The star appeared alongside singers Aled Jones and Russell Watson on Britain Get Singing on Christmas Eve.
He performed in a ghost costume as the three stars represented television show The Masked Singer in the competition.
Chris Kamara sobbed as he spoke out about his difficulty with a rare speech condition during Britain Get Singing on Sunday, insisting his life is back on track after a two-year struggle (pictured on the show with singers Aled Jones (left) and Russell Watson (right))
Breaking down in tears, Chris said: ‘My life was over two years ago and now it’s back on track…’ after speaking out about his little-understood neurological condition that affects his speech
Chris successfully completed his performance and received praise from judges will.i.am, Alesha Dixon, Adam Lambert and Jonathan Ross.
Breaking down in tears, Chris said: ‘My life was over two years ago and now it’s back on track…’
Chris previously revealed that he felt like a fraud due to the condition, having developed problems with speech which impacted his work as part of Soccer Saturday’s football round-up team.
In his new book Kammy, serialised by the Daily Mirror, he admitted in his darkest moments that he contemplated suicide as he did not want to become a burden to his wife Anne.
‘I’m going to admit something now, something I’ve never mentioned before,’ he wrote. ‘It’s hard for me to talk about, so bear with me.
‘I worried about where I was going to end up. Would my physical and neurological deterioration just keep going and going? And I worried more about the effect it would have on those around me.
‘I’m a man who has always wanted to help, to provide, to love and nurture those around me. And now I could only see myself as a burden. A shell of the man I used to be that they would be left to look after.’
‘Seeing myself like that was like staring into an abyss. I could never reconcile that image in my head. It was unthinkable.’
Chris successfully completed his performance and received praise from judges will.i.am, Alesha Dixon, Adam Lambert and Jonathan Ross
‘And it’s at that point I’d think, “They’d be better off without me”‘.
Chris admitted his thoughts had turned to Gary Speed, the former Wales manager who tragically committed suicide in 2011.
The broadcasting legend said he felt he could do something ‘extreme’ if he continued to ‘wander that maze alone’.
Chris wrote that the sharing his problems allowed him to realise his future might not be ‘bleak’ despite continuing to suffer from the condition.
He has fought to overcome his speech issues and recently returned to screens to co-host The Games and Ninja Warrior UK.
The former midfielder, who played for nine English professional clubs in a career spanning 20 years, has also been forced to pull out of several presenting roles due to his apraxia.
A documentary called for Lost For Words about Kamara coming to terms with the condition was broadcast in December.
Chris received an MBE earlier this year which recognised his services to football, charity and anti-racism.
Elsewhere, Kate Garraway was sent messages of support from Britain Get Singing viewers on Sunday as she prepared to keep a vigil by her husband Derek Draper’s bedside on Christmas Day.
Former political adviser Derek, 56, is in ‘a very serious condition’ after suffering a heart attack earlier this month.
Kate, 56, performed East 17’s 1994 Christmas number one hit Stay Another Day with her Good Morning Britain co-stars Charlotte Hawkins, Alex Beresford, Laura Tobin and Dr Amir Khan on the ITV programme this weekend in a bid to show how singing together can help us feel more connected and support our mental wellbeing.
Broadcaster Kate’s turn on stage, which was filmed before Derek’s heart attack, left viewers feeling emotional, with many reaching out to show their support for her while Derek is in hospital.
Taking to Twitter, one person wrote: ‘Hi Kate was thinking of you there as, I sit by my mum’s bedside hoping for a miracle the same miracle you are hoping for. Sad times. Been here since July you both are in my thoughts and prayers.’
Kate Garraway was sent messages of support from Britain Get Singing viewers on Sunday as she prepared to keep a vigil by her husband Derek Draper’s bedside on Christmas Day (L-R: Good Morning Britain’s Alex Beresford, Kate, Charlotte Hawkins, Laura Tobin and Dr Amir Khan who performed on the show)
Former political adviser Derek, 56, is in ‘a very serious condition’ after suffering a heart attack earlier this month (Derek and Kate pictured in 2019)
Someone else posted: ‘I wanted to message you but didn’t know what to say when your situation is so horrible. The only thing I can say is have the best time you can, our thoughts are with you always. Stay strong.’
While someone else wrote: ‘I just wanted to say my thoughts are with you and your family at this difficult time. I know you don’t me but I think you’re a strong person going through what you have been through with Derek. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.’
And one other person shared: ‘I just wanted let you know I’m thinking of you and Derek tonight. Always have hope and I’ll include you in my prayers tonight.’
In March 2020, Derek fell seriously ill with Covid-19, which left him with long-lasting damage to his organs and needing daily care.
Doctors put him in a medically induced coma and he became the longest-suffering coronavirus patient in the UK after spending 13 months in hospital away from his family.
Kate will reportedly spend Christmas beside her husband Derek in hospital after he suffered a heart attack which left him ‘fighting for his life’ earlier this month.
Television star Kate cancelled all of her work commitments in the run up to Christmas and will continue to sit at her husband’s bedside throughout the festive period.
While Kate revealed she had hoped to spend the festive period at home as a family this year, the mother and her two children Darcey, 17, and Billy, 14, will join the lobbyist in hospital.
Kate, 56, performed East 17’s 1994 Christmas number one hit Stay Another Day with her Good Morning Britain co-stars (L-R: Alex Beresford, Charlotte Hawkins, Kate, Laura Tobin and Dr Amir Khan)
Broadcaster Kate’s turn on stage, which was filmed before Derek’s heart attack, left viewers feeling emotional, with many reaching out to show their support
A source told The Sun: ‘It’s been a heartbreaking time for Kate and, of course, poor Derek.
‘Sadly, his condition remains much the same. The children are aware of the situation and have been by their dad’s bedside as much as possible.
‘The whole family is rallying around and trying to stay strong for one another. At Christmas time, this is especially devastating.’
contacted Kate’s representatives for comment.