Legendary sports reporter Chris Kamara made his triumphant return to broadcasting on Boxing Day two years after stepping back from his Soccer Saturday duties due to a speech condition.
The 67-year-old was one of the game’s most amusing and beloved personalities during his 20-year tenure in front of the cameras, coining well-known phrases from banter with Sky Sports host Jeff Stelling such as ‘unbelievable Jeff!’ and ‘I don’t know Jeff’ in memorable on-screen moments.
But 2022 saw Kamara forced to give up his profession after he received a diagnosis for speech apraxia, a rare neurological disorder which left him slurring his words.
Apraxia is a little-understood condition that affects the body’s ability to perform natural motor functions.
Speech therapy has helped Kamara to recover, allowing him to announce his triumphant return to TV earlier this year in an upcoming travel series with his former Goals On Sunday co-host Ben Shephard.
It has also allowed Kamara to return to his true passion – reporting on live football – with the broadcaster gracing Amazon Prime’s screens ahead of kick-off between Nottingham Forest and Tottenham.
Jeff Stelling made an emotional return to Premier League viewers’ screens on Boxing Day
The 67-year-old was brought back as part of Amazon Prime’s coverage with Jeff Stelling
During his tenure at Sky Spors Kamara became a fan favourite for his energetic personality
Stelling, presenting Every Game Every Goal for the channel, looked delighted to welcome back his old partner.
‘It’s a very good afternoon, happy Christmas, and a belated happy birthday to Chris Kamara,’ Stelling told viewers.
‘Thank you Jeff,’ Kamara said, looking visibly overcome with emotion. ‘I have got the best game of the day.
‘When Amazon rang me up, I thought they wanted me to deliver parcels, but they said the game – yes!’
‘Hey Kammy, I was going to ask you how your health is, but we can see you’re in fantastic health,’ Stelling responded.
Kamara added: ‘I’m great Jeff. To get that call, to say I was doing this game was the biggest fill-up ever.’