TV presenter and former footballer Chris Kamara has pledged to sing alongside a choir of Bradford City fans who will learn opera as part of this year’s UK City of Culture celebrations.
Kamara, 67, who was both a player and manager at the club, has launched an appeal for singers to join the choir whose progress will be featured on a BBC Sounds programme called Bantam Of The Opera.
The sports broadcaster, who uses singing to help with his apraxia of speech (AOS), is expected to sing with the fans, who are nicknamed the Bantams, at the University of Bradford Stadium later in the year.
“Singing has always been a part of my life, even when times have been tough.
“During the onset of my well-documented recent illness, apraxia of speech, although I suffered in silence for a time, I never stopped singing – in the shower, in the car, out walking.
“Music really can boost your mental health and is a gift which we all have, whether you’re tone deaf or a pop star. Anyone can blast out a tune, and that’s what makes this campaign so good.”
There was a huge outpouring of support when Kamara went public about being diagnosed with AOS, a rare neurological disorder which slows down his speech and thought processes.
“I’d love Bradford City fans to give it a go and sign up to take part in the BBC’s Bantam Of The Opera,” Kamara added.
Kamara said 2025 is “an incredibly important year for Bradford” as it will also mark the 40th anniversary of the Valley Parade fire which claimed the lives of 56 people.
“Many people will have their own memories of that horrific day and will want to pay their respects, as will I,” he said.
The BBC Singers and orchestras will support the Bantams’ choir during their development and Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber and soprano Lesley Garrett have pledged their support for the challenge, which will be documented by BBC Radio Leeds.
Garrett said: “I am so excited to see and hear what the Bantams can achieve musically, but even more excited to see the joyous and uplifting effect that music-making will have on their lives.”
“A great example of how culture is about everyone, especially the people who make places unique. This will be such a fun and entertaining project and I can’t wait to see it come to life across TV, radio and online.”
Bradford City AFC have agreed to support the call-out for singers with two community outreach events at the club’s stadium on January 25 and 28.
Bantam Of The Opera will be available on BBC Sounds from April.
