Kamara 'sorry' to wife for not admitting struggles

Football icon says he went through hell over speech condition

- BY SANJEETA BAINS

THREE years ago, Chris Kamara was given news he thought would stop him doing the job he loved.

The Sky Sports pundit, whose role requires speaking quickly and clearly, was told he had speech apraxia, a neurological disorder which disrupts the transfer of thoughts from the brain, making it difficult to talk.

Kammy, 67, as he is known, recalled how the condition triggered a bleak period when he thought his family would be better off without him.

He said: "They spotted the signs. I should have talked to my wife Anne, for which I have apologised to her. I didn't tell my wife what was going on.

STRONG

"My family would have supported me. Anne and my sons would have helped me.

"I grew up at a time when you didn't talk about your feelings. I lived in a football world where any sort of weakness was frowned upon. Men feel they have to be strong all the time.

"But you need to talk about things... get it off your chest."