Chris Kamara confirms Sky Sports Soccer Saturday exit after 24 years on screen - The Mirror

The former midfielder had worked on the popular Saturday afternoon show for the past 24 years but has confirmed he is stepping down from the role at the end of the campaign

Soccer Saturday's Chris Kamara has confirmed he is leaving Sky Sports at the end of the season after 24 years.

Affectionately known as ‘Kammy’, the reporter’s on-screen rapport with presenter Jeff Stelling has become iconic for the show’s following along with Karama’s oft-used phrase: "Unbelievable, Jeff!".

Kamara has 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.

A statement from Sky Sports added: "After 24 brilliant years at Sky Sports, including many years as a star of Soccer Saturday, Chris Kamara is leaving the show at the end of the season. The Soccer Saturday show paid tribute to him this afternoon, and he leaves with our thanks and very best wishes."

Gary Hughes, Sky Sports Director of Football, added: "Kammy has been a Sky Sports star. Everyone has a favourite Kammy anecdote or highlight, and the tribute we paid to him on air this afternoon really shows the special place he has in the hearts of our viewers.

"We've been so lucky to have him, and he will always be part of the Sky Sports football family."

Kamara revealed in March that "live TV might have to take a back seat" after he opened up on his diagnosis with apraxia of speech. After bravely revealing that he was suffering from a health condition which impedes his ability to talk, Kamara admitted that he would have to tone down live TV appearances.

The ex-midfielder - who has appeared on countless TV shows during the last two decades, including Emmerdale - explained last month: "I'm not really sure about how it comes out because if I explain my Apraxia, it's like we take for granted the fact that when we think and coming through our speech, it's comfortable, it's easy, it's natural.

"My Apraxia when it's bad stops those signals from the brain going to the mouth so it slows it's down. In fact, at times it slurs the words as well. So people are looking and thinking, 'Is he alright? Is he drunk?'

"So when I put out the message after Soccer Saturday, I never in a million years expected that response. But everyone has been so brilliant, so kind. People have got in touch who I haven't spoken to for 30 years to wish me well."

Kamara hung up his boots in 1995 after a 20-year playing career spent with Portsmouth, Swindon Town, Brentford, Stoke City, Leeds United, Luton Town, Sheffield United, Middlesbrough and Bradford City.

He spent the majority of his playing days with clubs in the second or third tiers but made 29 Premier League appearances between 1992 and 1994. The former midfielder then spent two-and-a-half years as Bradford manager - leading the Bantams to promotion to the second tier in 1996 - before a brief stint in the Stoke dugout in 1998.