Andy Morrison has returned to co-commentary work for the first time in five and a half months, delivering an encouraging update on his recovery from Ramsay Hunt Syndrome.
The former Manchester City captain, 56, covered the club’s pre-season defeat by Inter Milan as part of their matchday live team, working alongside Ali Mann.
In a video posted after the match, Morrison said: “It was fantastic to be back. Felt the voice was strong enough to go back and do co-commentary today. That’s my first time back in five-and-a-half months. I really appreciate all the support.”
He acknowledged struggling with some words and names during the broadcast but said it was “nothing too bad.”
Morrison also shared a positive report from a recent specialist visit. “He was really delighted and amazed at the progress I had made, from House-Brackmann six to a four and he is really positive that within a year I’ll get my eye back and be able to blink, so I won’t have to tape it down at night,” he said.
He said some symptoms persist, including numbness across one side of his face and the need to drink through a straw. “If sucking through a straw is worst case scenario then so be it,” Morrison added.
Reflecting on the toughest stretch of his illness, Morrison said he did not get out of bed for four weeks and could not speak for a month, but credited a positive mindset for his progress. “This too shall pass, everything passes, good or bad, everything comes and goes and sometimes you just have to dig in and get through it,” he said.
Ramsay Hunt Syndrome is caused by a virus in the facial nerve and can lead to facial paralysis, blistering rashes near the ear, severe earache and hearing loss.
Morrison made 47 appearances for Manchester City after joining from Huddersfield Town in 1998. He helped guide the club to Division One via the play-offs in 1998-99 and was voted the third-best captain in the club’s history by their official magazine. He was named a club ambassador in 2013.
