‘Total idiot’ - ex-Leeds and Portsmouth legend Chris Kamara on why he bottled up speech condition

Football legend Chris Kamara has issued a moving message to the public after claiming he was ‘a total idiot’ not to seek help sooner for a speech condition that forced him to quit his broadcasting job.

The ex-Sky Sports pundit - speaking to Bristol World at the opening Ninja Warrior Adventure Park at Cribbs Causeway - said the public response to him revealing his apraxia diagnosis had been ‘amazing’.

He was at the new indoor venue with Ninja Warrior UK TV co-presenter Ben Shephard last Friday. Speaking to video journalist Emma Jones, Kammy, as he asked to be called, laughed as he said the attraction offered hours of ‘unbelievable fun’.

The 64-year-old also spoke about his diagnosis. Despite being aware of symptoms, it took him nine months to visit a GP who referred the former Portsmouth and Leeds United star for a brain scan and then a blood test which revealed he had a thyroid issue.

Despite treatment, his speech issues continued and he was diagnosed with apraxia of speech in early 2022. Through media interviews and the TV documentary Chris Kamara: Lost for Words, the presenter has ‘come out’ about the diagnosis, partly in the hope it will help others.

“Look at me today, talking ok, yeh,” he said. “The support has been amazing - I just think what an idiot I was for nearly two years to keep it all to myself and not come out for fear of people judging me in a different way and I now realise that people are there to help.

And he issued a moving message to people with similar conditions to seek help. Earlier this month he revealed how a doctor told him that if he had gone to seek help earlier, ‘then I might have been okay’.

He said: “I would advise anyone going through anything, any problems whatsoever, to speak to someone, and if it is a medical problem please go and see your GP because I’ve been a total idiot.”

Yet despite the condition, he’s overcome the challenges to rejoin the presenting team for the new series of Ninja Warrior UK. And he tours the country helping to open Ninja Warrior Adventure Parks, like at Cribbs Causeway.

The Bristol attraction features a mix of adrenalin-fuelled TV show-style courses and inflatable runs inspired by the family favourite programme. It includes obstacles to climb, balance, jump and swing across, as well the famous Warped Wall.

Kammy said it was the best Ninja Warrior Adventure Park he’d seen so far. He said: “You can bring all the family, they can have a special time, you can eat as a family and enjoy two hours or if you want back-to-back sessions you can four hours of unbelievable fun.

“Don’t be nervous, if you are thinking of getting fit then this will make sure you will get fit. If you are thinking of coming to enjoy yourself and have some fun, the inflatables are incredible so definitely come on down.”

And he finally talked about the new Ninja Warrior UK show, which is in its sixth series. He said: “[It is] incredible, we started now in 2013 so we have had some brilliant shows. Unfortunately the pandemic did us for two years but it has been a brilliant show to work on .

“All the team are absolutely brilliant. It used to be the best two week holiday together, they’ve narrowed it down to five days this year but it was still absolutely magnificent.”

General admission to Ninja Warrior UK starts from £13.50 per person, or £4 for Mini Ninjas (0-3 years), with sessions and gift vouchers - for those looking for a great gift to give this Christmas - are available to book online here.