‘I’m on the mend’: Chris Kamara reveals he offered to quit new ITV show The Games over his recent health worries but says he was persuaded to stay by bosses and now predicts he’ll make a full recovery
Chris Kamara has revealed he offered to quit new ITV series The Games over his recent health worries but was talked out of it by show bosses.
The former Leeds United and Bradford City, 64, star recently developed apraxia of speech resulting in him taking a break from his long-standing role on Sky Sports.
And he admits his diagnosis almost threatened his latest TV gig until ITV chiefs persuaded him to stay on and signed up an experienced commentator to work alongside him.
‘I am on the mend’: Chris Kamara has revealed he offered to quit new ITV series The Games over his recent health worries but was talked out of it by show bosses (pictured in April)
Speaking at the launch of the show, Chris, affectionately known as ‘Kammy’, said: ‘I did offer to quit, which would have been good news, but ITV wouldn’t have it in any way shape or form, they said ‘you’re staying, you’re part of the team’ and I’d like to thank them for that.
‘They bought in Simon Brotherton to work alongside me in the commentary box, Simon and I know each other, we did 5 Live back in 1998 together when I first started broadcasting. I am on the mend, which is the great thing.’
Chris told how he was flooded with messages of support from people in and outside of the football world wishing him a speedy recovery.
Fans had become concerned with his welfare last month after noticing he was slurring his words on TV, with the presenter later revealing he had been struggling with the neurological condition that makes speech difficult.
‘I did offer to quit’: The former Leeds United and Bradford City star recently developed apraxia of speech resulting in him taking a break from his long-standing role on Sky Sports
He’s now inspired other sufferers to come forward and get help.
Chris explained: ‘So many people came forward when I said I was struggling and they said you can get better and I’ve had professors, people getting involved with me and I am on the mend hopefully in two weeks’ time I’ll be even better and back to my old self.
‘I am in an oxygen tube weekly, I have micro currents going through my body, I am trying absolutely everything to get it sorted and thankfully it is working.’
Former England cricket captain Freddie Flintoff, 44, who will front the series alongside Holly Willoughby, 41, is delighted Chris remained onboard and says he based his own commentary skills on the Soccer Saturday cult hero.
‘He helped me so much’: Freddie Flintoff, who will front the series alongside Holly Willoughby, is delighted Chris remained onboard and says he based his own commentary skills on the Soccer Saturday cult hero
He said: ‘He used to do Ninja Warrior and I ended up doing his job on Ninja Warrior in Australia for three or four series and I’m going to admit it Kammy, I just ripped you off. He helped me so much without even knowing it.’
The Games, which airs this month, sees 12 celebrities, including Strictly’s Kevin Clifton, 39, Love Island star Wes Nelson, 24, and Spice Girl Mel B’s daughter Phoenix Chi Gulzar, 23, go head to head across a week of different challenges such as diving, swimming, cycling and running.
And Freddie has already picked up his favourite.
He explained: ‘Wes Nelson is a proper athlete – but the pressure is going to be on him.
‘Colson Smith, probably at the end of the spectrum but he’s got a chance. A lot of it is how they throw it together. ‘It’s not just about how physically fit you are it’s about putting it all together, it’s live TV, which I am slightly nervous about.’
- The Games, starts Monday 9th May at 9pm on ITV
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