John Stapleton d.e.a.d: Former BBC and ITV presenter d.i.e.s peacefully in hospital aged 79 after Parkinson’s diagnosis
The presenter gave an emotional interview on his shock diagnosis last year
BROADCAST legend John Stapleton has passed away at the age of 79.
Stapleton, who had Parkinson’s disease complicated by pneumonia, d.i.e.d peacefully in hospital early this morning, according to his agent.
The ex-Good Morning Britain presenter revealed his shock diagnosis in October last year.
Stapleton, who presented on BBC‘s Watchdog and GMTV’s News Hour, gave an emotional interview on ITV‘s GMB.
Announcing the diagnosis, he said: “There’s no point in being miserable… It won’t ever change.
“I mean, Parkinson’s is here with me now for the rest of my life. Best I can do is try and control it and take the advice of all the experts.”
His agent Jackie Gill confirmed his family were at his side when he sadly passed away earlier today.
She said: “John had Parkinson’s disease which was complicated by pneumonia.
“His son Nick and daughter-in-law Lisa have been constantly at his side and John d.i.e.d peacefully in hospital this morning.”
He formed half of an iconic presenting duo alongside his wife, Lynn Faulds Wood, with the pair becoming household names in the 80s.
She was one half of an iconic TV couple alongside her husband John Stapleton, who shared his Parkinson’s diagnosis in October 2024.
John and Lynn became a much-loved TV couple as they presented BBC’s Watchdog together from 1985 to 1993.
The pair met when she was working in a pub in 1971, going on to wed in 1977 and their son Nick arrived ten years later.
Lynn tragically d.i.e.d from a stroke on April 24, 2020, at the age of 72.
Tributes have been flooding in from far and wide for the presenting powerhouse.
His former colleague and GMB star Charlotte Hawkins hailed the “brilliant broadcaster”.
Writing on X, she said: So sad to hear John Stapleton – our ‘Stapes’ has d.i.e.d.
“He was such a brilliant broadcaster and I loved working with him on GMB.
“A genuinely lovely man, it was good to see him when he came in just a few months ago to talk about his Parkinson’s diagnosis.
“He’ll be much missed.”
Radio host Sangita Myska said John was “the epitome of collegiate behaviour” and “a great journalist, role model and gentleman”.
She added: “Incredibly sad news that the veteran journalist and broadcaster John Stapleton has passed away.
“I watched him on TV when I was growing up with admiration.
“One day, out of the blue, he sent me a very kind message about my reporting. I was absolutely chuffed!
“Broadcasting can sometimes be an unkind business, but John was the epitome of collegiate behaviour.
“Rest in Peace, John. Thank you for being a great journalist, role model and gentleman.
“I know you’ll be reunited with your wonderful wife Lynn. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.”
Television presenter Mark Austin said the d.e.a.t.h of broadcaster John Stapleton was “incredibly sad”.
Responding to the news in a post on X, Austin wrote: “Incredibly sad.
“A good man and top presenter who could turn his hand to anything. Best wishes to his family.”
John started his journalistic career at the Oldham Chronicle.
At the beginning of the 1980s, John became a correspondent on BBC Panorama and Newsnight.
During his time there, he famously reported from Argentina during the Falklands War in 1982.
While appearing on Watchdog with Lynn, John was also a presenter for BBC’s Breakfast Time alongside Jeremy Paxman in 1986.
In 2004, he was named the Royal Television Society’s presenter of the year.
He was recognised for his work covering the 2003 Iraq War and for a number of interviews including then-Prime Minister Tony Blair.
He interviewed a host of British PMs during his time as a presenter, starting with James Callaghan in the 1970s.
Stapleton was one of the regular contributors to the popular BBC series Grumpy Old Men.
In 2010, he joined ITV’s flagship breakfast show Daybreak as a special correspondent and part-time presenter.
Despite the show being replaced by GMB in 2014, he remained in his position for another year.
Previously speaking on John’s diagnosis, Nick explained he had noticed his dad suffering more with the disease.
Appearing on BBC One’s Morning Live, he said: “Over the last year, I’ve started to notice that dad was seeming a bit more anxious.
“He wasn’t walking as confidently and he had this tremor in his hand.
“So two months ago, he went for some tests and unfortunately a few days later he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.”
He continued: “It was deeply troubling news.”
John talked about his symptoms, which included “continuous exhaustion and lack of energy”.
He said: “It’s a classic symptom of Parkinson’s apparently.
“I’m going to keep taking the tablets and hope it gets better.”
He also told how he’d earnt his living for the best part of 50 years by “speaking”.
He added: “It’s very frustrating when someone says to you ‘sorry, what did you say’ and you have to repeat it time and time again.
“I’m fairly pragmatic of the prospect of this getting worse.
“I try to remain positive because what’s the point of not being.”
Nick admitted the diagnosis did not come as a huge surprise because John’s mother also had Parkinson’s in the years before she d.i.e.d.
John recalled some of the initial symptoms his mother experienced when she was first diagnosed.
One of the signs included the “inability to open a can of beans or to peel a potato”.
He said: “I’m having the same problem to an extent myself.
“In the end, she was locked in her own house, her lifestyle changed dramatically and suppose mine will too.”
Nick said he was standing in his father’s shoes, anticipating how he would support him through his Parkinson’s disease.
He said: “I’m finding it difficult to navigate conversations with dad about the reality of the support he might need in the next few years.
“The most extreme situation in my mind, is what to do if he can’t live on his own anymore.”
