Broadcaster and football pundit Chris Kamara has given an update about being diagnosed with Apraxia of speech after his appearance on Soccer Saturday saw viewers worried for his health. The 64-year-old was at Rotherham United covering the match against Shrewsbury Town when concerned fans noticed he had "slow" and "slurred" speech.
Speaking live from Leeds on Good Morning Britain, when he announced Ninja Warrior would be returning, Chris spoke about how "incredible" the response was to his diagnosis. He told hosts Ben Shephard and Charlotte Hawkins: "It was incredible! Today's a good day, so today I think I'm fine and I don't know how I sound but it seems as if I'm OK."
He explained his condition further, adding: "We take for granted the fact that when we speak and coming through our speech it's comfortable, it's easy, it's natural. My apraxia, because it varies in different people, my apraxia when it's bad, it stops those signals from that brain going to that mouth, so it slows it down."
Chris bravely spoke out about his condition via Twitter after the live Sky Sports broadcast. In a tweet, he wrote: "Just wanted to let a few of you know who tweeted me today that I am OK-ish. Alongside my Thyroid problem I have developed Apraxia of Speech & have been working to get my speech back to normal. Some days it can be a little slow and some days it’s normal. Hopefully, I can beat this!"
Just last year, Chris was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism also known as an Underactive Thyroid. He told GMB viewers he was now seeing a speech therapist to help with his speech disorder.
The former football player received thousands of well wishes and positive messages on social media following the revelation and thanked his Twitter followers for their "overwhelming" support. He added that he would still be featuring on our screens but added that live TV coverage may have to "take a back seat at the moment".
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV from 6am.
