logo
Chris Kamara admits 'I'm no longer the person I used to be' and shares regret

Chris Kamara admits 'I'm no longer the person I used to be' and shares regret

Daily Mirror13-05-2025

Sky Sports star, Chris Kamara's life was turned upside down in 2022 when he was diagnosed with apraxia of speech (AOS), which also affected his balance and co-ordination
Beloved football pundit, Chris 'Kammy' Kamara has heartbreakingly admitted he's 'no longer the person he used to be' following his life-changing diagnosis. The Sky Sports star's life was turned upside down in 2022 when he was diagnosed with apraxia of speech (AOS), which also affected his balance and co-ordination.
Chris, 67, flew to Mexico for treatment in a bid to reverse or slow down some of the effects of the neurological disorder, which include difficulty when speaking. However, despite initial success, the machine that transmitted radio frequency and magnetic fields into the body - similar to an MRI - became less effective, resulting in Chris stopping treatment.


Telling The Sun his family told him to accept the fact that his life has changed, he said: "In so many ways, the diagnosis has changed my life, I am no longer the person I used to be, so I would be lying if I said it hasn't changed me."
Alongside apraxia, Chris also has thyroid problems. He says he's also battling with dyspraxia which affects his co-ordination and balance.
Admitting this is "quite scary", he revealed: "The brain tells me that I am going to fall, and unfortunately I often do."
The TV presenter, who has been on our screens for two decades, waited for 18 months before seeking help for his condition, which "makes talking difficult, with sufferers knowing what they'd like to say, but having trouble communicating their words," according to the NHS.
Chris, who returned to TV punditry on Boxing Day, says he regrets waiting so long, admitting he wished he'd been diagnosed sooner.
Speaking to the Mirror for Mental Heath Awareness Week last week, the star said when he first realised his speech difficulties, he thought he may be suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's. "It was a really tough period" he recalled.

The former professional footballer spent 24 years presenting Soccer Saturday alongside Jeff Stelling but stepped back in 2022 after his diagnosis.
Despite 'not being the person he was', Chris is still in demand on TV, saying of his future career on screen: "I am being offered opportunities all the time, so I can't rule it out.
"Unfortunately, speech is what is needed for presenting, and mine has become unreliable as far as speed goes."
Chris says he has seen "massive improvements" with the clarity of his speech, adding that he no longer struggles to find words, which he says was a big problem a couple of years ago.
Referring to his iconic delivery style in which he would fire off football stats and live match updates, he added: "My family constantly remind that I used to speak at 100 miles an hour anyway, which is quite unusual, so I should relax into speaking more slowly, which I now do."

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Terminally ill Wrexham toddler visited by Peppa Pig
Terminally ill Wrexham toddler visited by Peppa Pig

Leader Live

time8 minutes ago

  • Leader Live

Terminally ill Wrexham toddler visited by Peppa Pig

Earlier this year, Callie Shaw was tragically diagnosed, aged just 10 months, with a rhabdoid tumour - a rare and aggressive form of childhood cancer. She spent the next few months in Alder Hey to receive treatment. After undergoing four months of chemotherapy - things appeared to be going well and the tumour was shrinking in size. Callie Shaw and mum, Sarah (Image: Sarah Shaw) However, her family was given the devastating news last month following an MRI scan that Callie's cancer has spread to her lungs - and is now terminal. Callie was given a prognosis of four-six weeks. A GoFundMe page set up to support Callie's family at this very difficult time has raised over £7,000. With her first birthday spent during her time at Alder Hey, family and friends recently organised a party so she could celebrate properly. And on Monday (June 9), she received a surprise visit from Peppa Pig and Chase from Paw Petrol - her and her brother's favourite characters. (Image: Sarah Shaw) The visit was organised by Mold-based Blue Duo Events - which also donated 50 bags of candy floss for Callie's party. Blue Duo Events said on its Facebook page: "As a business, we felt there was more we could do – and this evening, we did just that. We surprised Callie with a visit from her two favourite characters, bringing smiles and joy to her and her family. One of our playful pups also joined in to surprise her little brother, making sure he felt just as special. (Image: Blue Duo Events) "Thank you, Sarah (Callie's mum) for allowing us to visit Callie at home and letting us be part of these precious moments. MORE NEWS: "The Blue Duo team are thinking of you all and sending love during this incredibly difficult time." Sarah Shaw said: "It was amazing to have Peppa Pig come and visit Callie. She absolutely adores Peppa Pig and it was really special. "I want to say a massive thank you to Blue Duo Events - you made memories that will last forever. It means so much to us."

Gladiator Giant says prostate cancer blood test could save lives
Gladiator Giant says prostate cancer blood test could save lives

North Wales Chronicle

time36 minutes ago

  • North Wales Chronicle

Gladiator Giant says prostate cancer blood test could save lives

Known as Giant on the hit BBC show, the bodybuilder has been raising money for Prostate Cancer UK and took part in The Big Golf Race where he played 72 holes of golf and walked more than 26 miles in a single day, completing the challenge in just under 15 hours. This comes after his uncle, Colin Tomlinson, was diagnosed and later recovered from prostate cancer eight years ago. A post shared by Jamie Christian (@akathegiant) Speaking during Men's Health Week, which runs from June 9-15, he said: 'That was just a true example of it can happen to anyone, no matter how fit or healthy you are there are no warning signs for this. 'If people aren't getting the necessary checks, then it could be too late.' Around one in eight men in the UK will get prostate cancer in their lifetime, according to Prostate Cancer UK. It occurs when cells in the prostate start to grow in an uncontrolled way with the risk of spreading if not detected early. One cancer screening is a PSA blood test which checks the level of prostate specific antigens in the blood and, if high, may be a sign of a prostate condition, according to the NHS website. He said: 'By doing a simple blood test, by going to your GP and having a simple blood test to check your PSA levels, that's like the first step, and it's something really, really easy. 'It could save their life. A post shared by Jamie Christian (@akathegiant) 'I think men, being men, we're very private individuals especially with certain body parts. So I think the stigma attached to prostate cancer is that men have to go to the doctors and have the prostate exam with the finger up the bum, without being too graphic. I think that puts a lot of people off. 'Having the knowledge of a simple blood test will give you all you need to know that is far, far more beneficial than surely finding out one day that you might have cancer.' Because prostate cancer often does not have any symptoms, it is important to get checked especially for men over the age of 50, black men and men with a family history of prostate cancer who are at higher risk. Christian added: 'It's much more powerful to prevent something than to have to cure it, because the cure isn't something that we can have full control over, but prevention-wise, that is in our control to go and get the necessary checks to look after our lifestyle, our diets, our activities, shall we say. 'When you put it like that, a few minutes of your day, why would you not go and do it? Peace of mind.' The Big Golf Race is the biggest golf fundraising challenge in the UK which encourages participants to choose from the Half Marathon (36 holes and approximately 13 miles of walking), the Marathon (72 holes and over 26 miles), or the Ultra Marathon (100 holes in one day and 35 miles) to raise money and awareness for the charity. Speaking about the sport Christian added: '(The golf course) is a great place where men can be in a safe space and talk to one another. And these conversations on a golf course are private and respected. 'I think the more people that come on board, the more people that listen, more people that talk, more people that go out and play a game of golf and have those conversations with each other, the better. 'And hopefully, the rates of the actual deaths from prostate cancer will start to fall.' Christian is best known as Giant on the sports and entertainment show Gladiators which sees professional athletes take on contestants as they try to complete physical challenges. Prior to being a Gladiator, he was the tallest professional bodybuilder in the world at six feet five and consumed up to 10,000 calories a day. He has since reduced his intake to around 5,000 calories.

Common pill is putting millions at risk of life-threatening breathing problems, doctor warns
Common pill is putting millions at risk of life-threatening breathing problems, doctor warns

Daily Mail​

timean hour ago

  • Daily Mail​

Common pill is putting millions at risk of life-threatening breathing problems, doctor warns

They are pills prescribed to millions in the UK to treat heart conditions and anxiety. But beta blockers may pose a hidden risk to the 7.2 million people living with asthma, an NHS GP has warned. According to the British Heart Foundation, UK doctors issue more than 50 million prescriptions for beta blockers every year. However, Dr Sooj, a family doctor with over 250,000 TikTok followers, cautioned that the drugs can interfere with the way asthma medications work—potentially putting some patients at risk during an attack. Asthma causes symptoms such as wheezing, coughing and chest tightness. While generally manageable, it can become life-threatening, when severely inflamed airways make it extremely difficult to breathe. Asthma UK reports that around 1,200 people die from asthma attacks each year in the UK, while in the US the figure is over 3,500. In a TikTok, Dr Sooj explained: 'If you have asthma you need to be cautious and we need to make sure you're aware of any of the risks and potential complications of taking a beta blocker.' He continued: 'The medications we use in an acute asthma attack are called beta agonists—these help to dilate the pipes in your lungs.' Dr Sooj explained that these beta agonists, found in many common inhalers, work by relaxing the muscles in the airways, making it easier to breathe. But beta blockers—used to slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure—can blunt this effect. 'By doing that, they can worsen the symptoms of asthma,' he said. And it's not just people with asthma who may be affected. Inhalers are also routinely prescribed to those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), an umbrella term covering long-term lung conditions such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema. These incurable conditions can also cause severe breathing difficulties, and for this group too, beta blockers may pose a risk. The NHS advises patients with asthma or lung disease to inform their doctor before starting beta blockers, to ensure the medication is safe. That said, Dr Sooj added: 'I've seen lots of patients with COPD or asthma who are on beta blockers and they're completely fine with them.' 'But this is a discussion that you should be having with your own doctor.' Dr Sooj added that he still believed beta blockers to be 'excellent medications', and explained developments in the drugs that has improved them. 'We now have cardio selective beta blockers, which... affect the body a bit less.' The new warning follows concerns that a type of beta blocker called propranolol can put patients at risk of 'toxic overdose'—triggering seizures, depression and even cardiac arrest in high doses. Recent research showed the number of prescriptions for propranolol to treat anxiety in the UK doubled between 2003 and 2018. In theory, by keeping blood pressure low, feelings of panic and anxiety are reduced. However some experts have claimed there 'no evidence' that drugs are effective for mental health, and that patients often aren't adequately warned about risk of an overdose. In a recent letter to The Guardian, pharmacist Christopher Sullivan warned that the drug 'is associated with significant adverse outcomes' and urged GPs to exercise 'extreme caution when prescribing these medicines for anxiety'. 'Prescribing these medicines for anxiety is not recommended in national evidence-based guidelines,' he added. It followed comments from GP Dr Amir Khan, who told the newspaper that propananol had been linked to 'higher rates of depression' and warned GPs not to prescribe it to anxious patients who also suffer low mood. 'If you are taking them long term, you can't suddenly stop them,' he added. 'You need to be weaned off them.' The risks are not thought to pertain to those taking the medicine for heart problems and other physical issues like migraine—but experts say patients with mental health troubles are vulnerable to either accidentally or purposefully taking an overdose.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store