Sky Sports pundit Chris Kamara is planning a long-term career as a pop star.
The 61-year-old former footballer has swapped his comical quips on the channel’s ‘Soccer Saturday’ results show for song lyrics on his debut album, ‘Here’s to Christmas’, and he has already had discussions about recording a second LP if this first record is a success.
Speaking exclusively to BANG Showbiz, he said: "The record company have put things in place saying that if we do well, then we can do some more. So you might have to put up with some more music! I hope we’ve got a Christmas song that will resonate with people an if it goes well that’s great."
Kammy – who played for Swindon Town and Brentford FC among a host of other clubs during his soccer career – is confident his music can be successful because he never thought that his stint presenting game show ‘Ninja Warrior UK’ alongside his former ‘Goals on Sunday’ co-host Ben Shephard would go as well as it has, something that proved to him he should never doubt himself.
He said: "One thing Ben Shephard taught me when we were doing ‘Ninja Warrior’ together is that you never know what then public perception is. I took that on board and never get carried away with anything. Everybody loved ‘Ninja Warrior’ and it taught me a lesson and gave me something to think about. It will be great if this album does well, but I’m not going to sit in a dark corner and cry my eyes out if it doesn’t! One thing I don’t want to though is compare myself to any of the great swing singers!"
And Kammy has a big concert booked for The Royal Albert Hall in London next year if his fans get behind his singing.
He said: "We’ve got things planned, that’s one thing for certain. We’ve got the Royal Albert Hall booked for next year, but it all depends on how well the album does.
"I don’t turn down any opportunities … I like to give things a go. If they work, great, and if they don’t work out? Well, at least I’ve had a go."
On ‘Here’s to Christmas’ – which is out now – Kammy croons Christmas classics, such as ‘Winter Wonderland’, ‘It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas’, and ‘Santa Baby’, as well as the titular track, which was penned for him by Robbie Williams collaborator Richard Scott.
Chris Kamara planning to be a pop star pundit
