‘I’m really weak’ – Chris Kamara gives a worrying health update, but remains upbeat and keeps fighting with a new job role.
Kammy, diagnosed with apraxia of speech in 2022 and dyspraxia, has faced significant challenges with speech, balance, and coordination due to these neurological conditions.
Apraxia of speech affects his ability to articulate words clearly, while dyspraxia impacts his balance, making tasks like walking downstairs or getting on planes difficult.
Despite these struggles, Kamara has made progress through intensive speech therapy in Mexico and by joining a choir, which he finds therapeutic for his speech.
He recently partnered with Burton’s Fish ‘N’ Chips for a one-day pop-up event in London’s Camden Market on National Fish & Chip Day, June 6th, 2025, where he served free chip butties.
Kamara explained that he is now more selective about work, choosing roles that accommodate his conditions, as he can no longer take on every opportunity like he once did.
This collaboration aligns with his cautious approach to work, allowing him to engage in public activities while managing his health limitations.
EXCLUSIVE Chris Kamara admits ‘I’m really weak’ in health update but it won’t stop him doing what he loveshttps://t.co/WbI8l5Otwx
— Daily Star Sport (@DailyStar_Sport) June 4, 2025
This Friday I will be at Camden Market to celebrate 🥳 National Fish and Chip Day 🥳 I will be dishing out free chip butties like you’ve never seen them before @FishnChipsSnack
Come and join me this Friday 6th on Camden High Street for the one-day-only pop-up 🐟🍟 pic.twitter.com/v9OKCUvl3H— Chris Kamara (@chris_kammy) June 3, 2025
Speaking to the Daily Star Sport, he spoke about over working with Burton’s, saying: “Great, absolutely great, I do loads and loads of charity work, so occasionally it’s nice for a company to come along and offer me a job for being me. Which is what they’ve done and I’m really delighted about that.
“And my mum used to eat these back in the 70s and early 80s. I hadn’t seen them for a while until a few years ago, and hopefully I can help promote them back into everybody’s little snack treat along the way.”
On the decision to work with Burton’s, he opened up on his health battles: “I’m choosy these days.
“That’s what’s happened with the work because even though I’ve got the acceptance of my condition, I still don’t want to put myself in a situation where it comes back to bite me.
“So I’m not like the old Chris Kamara who would say yes to the opening of an envelope. Whereas now I’m a bit more choosy and will I put myself in a situation where it won’t work out alongside my apraxia, I have dyspraxia, which affects your balance.
“So I’m weak, really weak, and you know, going down these stairs isn’t great. Going up these stairs is fine, but going down these stairs, the brain tells you you’re going to fall even though you probably won’t, so you have to hold on to the banister and getting on planes and things like that.
“Don’t be in the queue behind me because I’ll be 5 minutes getting down those plane steps!”
Chris on his dyspraxia: “Walking is fine but the thing is if I trip I can’t put my arms out anymore to stop my fall, so if I was riding a bike, when you stop, the brain won’t allow your feet to go down and stop you falling.
“You just fall over the sides, it’s crazy, but the brain is so complex, it’s amazing.
“I didn’t realise the compartments of the brain, where if you talk in an accent. So (for me) I advise speaking in a Scottish accent. The flow is quicker than my normal speeds, which is crazy, but that’s the brain for it.”
Despite Burton’s giving the former footballer and pundit the chance to be himself, he admitted it’s not such a dangerous thing as it would have been a few years ago.
“Jeff Stelling and Ben Shepherd would vouch that I’m not the same bloke as I used to be. Everything that came up they were panicking about, it’s calmed down a little bit!
“I suppose the event on Friday will be a little bit calmer for everyone. Everyone will be a bit at ease.
“Friday will be great, it’s National Fish and Chip Day, and I’ll be dishing out the fish and chip biscuits and butties to the local punters in Camden, so I’m looking forward to that. I’m a people person anyway, so absolutely great.”
As Chris Kamara gives a worrying health update, saying ‘I’m really weak’, he keeps fighting with not just his new role with Burton’s, but teaming up with charities, helping others with their mental health or raising awareness when it comes to drinking alcohol.
He recently joined a campaign with Drinkaware and Andy’s Man Club during Mental Health Awareness Week to address alcoholism, particularly among middle-aged men, with 58% admitting to using alcohol as a coping mechanism and one in five finding it hard to open up without a drink.
Kamara said that the campaign focuses on managing drinking habits rather than stopping entirely, encouraging people to assess their alcohol consumption through an online survey and seek help if it impacts their mental health or life. He shared his personal struggles with mental health and a speech condition (apraxia of speech), highlighting the importance of talking about issues and seeking therapy, which helped him recover.
The campaign also honours Andy Roberts, who died by suicide at 23, aiming to prevent similar tragedies by promoting open conversations.
Have a watch of his following interviews, with Ally McCoist on talkSPORT, Chris Moyes on Radio X, and his session talking to others with Andy’s Man Club…
When talking feels difficult, drinking can often feel like the only answer. But with Kammy and Drinkaware, we’re starting real conversations. Take your first step today: https://t.co/Rp8ubjI8rQ#TalkDrinking #MensMentalHealth #Drinkaware @chris_kammy pic.twitter.com/zsN5k8HUxG
— #ANDYSMANCLUB (@andysmanclubuk) May 12, 2025
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