Legendary broadcaster Chris Kamara has opened up on his imminent return to live football reporting.
The 66-year-old was diagnosed with the speech condition apraxia in 2022 which signalled his departure from Soccer Saturday that same year after over two decades with Sky Sports.
However, Kamara will soon be back on the TV screens having confirmed he will be working for Amazon Prime Video's live coverage on Boxing Day alongside ex-colleague Jeff Stelling.
"Best phone call ever this afternoon inviting me to do the Forest v Spurs game on Boxing Day reporting back to the Unbelievable @JeffStelling in the studio,” Kamara posted on X. “I thought I was done, so it’s a big thank you Amazon, I’m back.”
Detailing the phone call with Andrew ‘Buzz’ Hornet, Kamara has revealed he couldn’t refuse the opportunity of returning to live football reporting, even if it’s just a one-off.
“It was surreal to get that phone call from Andrew ‘Buzz’ Hornet, who was one of the first football producers at Sky Sports,” he said.
“I was on my way to a Paul Heaton gig in Manchester – I’ve known Paul since I played for Sheffield United, he’s a big Blades fan and me invited over to one of his concerts – when Buzz called.
Best phone call ever this afternoon 👏🏼 inviting me to do the Forest v Spurs game on Boxing Day 🥳 reporting back to the Unbelievable @JeffStelling in the studio. I thought I was done, so it’s a big thank you 🙏🏾 Amazon 🤩 @primevideosport “I’m back” 👌🏽 pic.twitter.com/yaFeCicpuy
— Chris Kamara (@chris_kammy) December 16, 2024
“I thought, ‘What does he want? And Buzz says, ‘How do you fancy being reunited with Jeff on Boxing Day?’ Er, yes – in what capacity? ‘Reporting on live football, like you normally do, at Forest v Spurs.’
“How could I refuse? It might be one last hurrah for me in terms of covering football on the box, but to work with Jeff again will bring a bit of extra magic to Christmas for me."
As Kamara prepares to join Amazon Prime's punditry team for the Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham game on Boxing Day, he's revealed he will not be doing any rehearsals out of fear he will mess up his lines.
“Of course I’m not 100 per cent, but I’m 70 per cent better than when I first disclosed my condition in public and I feel like I’ve got the old Kammy back,” he added.
"The one thing about my job at Sky that I guarded more than anything was being spontaneous.
“I’ve lost that ability in a way but I’m going to try and wheel it out on Boxing Day. If I started to rehearse lines in my head, or tried to prepare some premeditated lines, then I would be guaranteed to mess it up.”
