Legendary commentator Martin Tyler faced health issues at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar that could have resulted in permanent damage to his voice, forcing him to undergo surgery. The climate in Qatar affected his vocal cords, leading to the discovery of keratosis on his larynx. Following a successful operation, Tyler received help from St George’s Hospital’s speech and language voice therapy team to rediscover his iconic voice. He expressed gratitude for the care he received and emphasized the importance of not taking his voice for granted.
Having spent 50 years in commentary, Tyler’s voice is not only his living but also crucial for his social interactions. He opened up about the fear of losing the ability to socialize, emphasizing how significant his voice was in his life. The potential loss of his voice due to his health issues was a worst-case scenario for Tyler, impacting not only his career but also his personal life. He highlighted how challenging it was to attend events and interact with people while dealing with voice-related issues.
Despite stepping down from his Premier League commitments with Sky Sports, Tyler has returned to commentary following his successful treatment. He has done 40 commentaries since then, emphasizing the impact that his restored voice has had on him. While he previously did not think much about his voice, Tyler now values it more than ever and is grateful for the opportunity to continue his commentary work. He also reflected on the financial implications of potentially losing his voice but underscored the loss of socializing as the most significant concern.
Tyler’s treatment and recovery process was facilitated by the care and humor provided by the staff at St George’s Hospital. He commended their efforts in helping him regain his voice and expressed his gratitude for their support throughout his journey. Despite no longer being involved with Sky Sports, Tyler can still be seen on TNT Sports for their coverage of the Champions League, allowing fans to continue enjoying his iconic commentary style. The experience of facing potential damage to his voice has made Tyler cherish and appreciate his voice more than ever before, highlighting the importance of not taking the ability to communicate for granted.
