Chris Kamara shares picture from an oxygen chamber as his ‘recovery continues’ from health woes that forced him to quit Soccer Saturday
- The former Sky Sports star tweeted the photograph inside an oxygen chamber
- During one broadcast, Chris Kamara was slurring his words quite significantly
- Kamara feared his condition could be linked to heading footballs in his career
- Luckily tests showed his apraxia was caused by an underactive thyroid gland
TV football pundit Chris Kamara, 64, has tweeted a photograph of himself in an oxygen chamber where he is receiving treatment for a medical condition which affects his speech.
The former Sheffield United player was forced to stand down from his role with Sky Sports on Soccer Saturday where he would provide updates from matches around the country because of the condition.
Viewers became concerned when the former footballer, who played more than 650 professional games, started slurring his words during one live broadcast.
Football pundit Chris Kamara has tweeted a photograph of himself in an oxygen chamber while he continues to receive treatment for an underactive thyroid gland which has affected his speech
Fans became concerned when Kamara began slurring his words during one of his stints on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday
Kamara, pictured, who played an estimated 650 professional games, had initially feared his condition had been brought on by constant heading of the football
This prompted Kamara to reveal he has a thyroid condition which has now caused apraxia.
Despite giving up his Soccer Saturday role, he continues to work and had been co-commentating on ITV’s The Games.
He wrote on Twitter: ‘Six enjoyable days working on The Games.
‘Back in the oxygen chamber today as the recovery continues.’
Initially, he had feared the condition had been brought on by repetitive heading of the football during his long career.
Fortunately, the speech impediment was brought on by an underactive thyroid gland.
Last month he said his treatment was working very well.
Kamara, pictured during a Sky Bet League One match between Barnsley and Shrewsbury Town
When announcing his departure from Sky Sports after 24 years, Kamara said: ‘My long career at Sky Sports has never felt like work. I’ve spent 24 terrific years at Sky, and leave with the best of memories.
‘My time on Soccer AM, Goals on Sunday and, of course, on Soccer Saturday with Jeff has been – to coin a phrase – unbelievable.
‘I’ve had the time of my life, and look forward to tuning in every Saturday as a fan.’
Kamara previously underwent a brain scan to check if he was developing dementia after suffering from what he described as ‘brain fog’, and was worried the illness might be related to heading the ball during his long playing career.
However, his symptoms were instead explained by an underactive thyroid.
Kamara, who has also released two Christmas albums and a charity single as well as presenting on Ninja Warrior UK, is set to be a commentator on ITV’s new show The Games, which starts in May.