Boro legend Chris Kamara explains reason behind "slurred" speech on Soccer Saturday

Teesside football legend Chris Kamara has revealed he has been suffering from apraxia of speech, after a number of Soccer Saturday viewers raised concerns over his health.

The former Boro midfielder recently shot down speculation he was poised to leave the show after host Jeff Stelling confirmed his own imminent departure in October.

The Mirror reports that Hartlepool-born Stelling, who has hosted Soccer Saturday for more than 25 years, revealed he would step away at the end of the current season.

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Kamara was covering the League One match between Rotherham United and Shrewsbury Town on Saturday afternoon. And, after multiple messages of concern, the pundit explained his situation and pledged to "beat" the speech disorder.

"Is Chris Kamara unwell?? Very slurred speech on Sky Sports," one viewer tweeted. "Take care @chris_kammy hope your ok [sic], not your usual self," was the message from another, while plenty reached out to the 64-year-old to show their support.

"Kammy are you ok mate?" a third viewer asked. "Noticing you’re not at your best today. And I don’t mean that in an offensive way. If you’re struggling mate please get some help or talk to someone."

The broadcaster had revealed last year he had been diagnosed with a thyroid condition. Now, after the recent concern, he has provided further details of his struggles.

"Just wanted to let a few of you know who tweeted me today that I am ok ish," Kamara tweeted. "Alongside my Thyroid problem I have developed Apraxia of Speech & have been working to get my speech back to normal.

Apraxia of speech is a condition whereby the affected person has trouble speaking. It affects the process of sending messages from the brain to the mouth in order to form intended words.

Jamie Carragher was one of a number of other players, past and present, to show Kamara their support after his announcement. Former Premier League midfielder Charlie Adam also provided well-wishes, as did current Boro ace Sol Bamba.

Former referee Mark Halsey, who famously beat a cancer diagnosis to return to Premier League officiating, also showed Kamara his support. "Not hopefully YOU will beat this pal, be strong stay positive," the former top-flight ref said.