Beloved Broadcaster John Stapleton Dies At 79 After Heartbreaking Parkinson’s Battle And Tragic Pneumonia Complications
Broadcast legend John Stapleton has died aged 79 after his battle with Parkinson’s disease was complicated by pneumonia.
Stapleton, who presented on programmes including Newsnight, Panorama and GMTV’s News Hour during a remarkable TV career which spanned nearly five decades, passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning.
His agent Jackie Gill 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 died peacefully in hospital this morning.’
Last year, the former Good Morning Britain presenter revealed his devastating battle with Parkinson’s in an emotional interview on BBC One’s Morning Live.
‘Speaking is how I’ve earned my living for the best part of 50 years,’ he said last October.
‘It’s very frustrating sometimes, particularly (when) people are constantly saying to you ‘Sorry, what did you say?’ And you have to repeat yourself, time and time again.
‘I am fairly pragmatic about the prospect of this getting worse. I try to remain positive, because what’s the point of not being?’
Kirsty Wark, Jill Dando and John Stapleton are pictured in May 1988 while they worked as BBC Breakfast Time presenters
John Stapleton with his wife Lynn Faulds Wood and their son Nick
The veteran broadcaster had previously revealed how both his grandmother and mother battled with the same disease.
Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative condition in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged over many years, with symptoms including tremors and slow movement.
Born in Oldham in 1946, Stapleton began his career in newspapers before presenting BBC’s Panorama and Newsnight, where he reported from trouble spots in the Middle East, El Salvador and Argentina during the Falklands War.
He also presented Good Morning Britain, before returning to the BBC in 1986 to to present consumer show Watchdog alongside his wife Lynn Faulds Wood until 1993.
His death comes five years after Ms Wood died aged 72 after suffering a stroke.
The pair met when she was working in a pub in 1971 and tied the knot six years later.
They had their son, Nick, together in 1987.
Tributes have poured in for Stapleton, with television presenter Mark Austin saying his death 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.’
Good Morning Britain co-creator Erron Gordon revealed touching anecdotes about working with Stapleton in an emotional tribute.TRENDING
He wrote: ‘John Stapleton was one of the very best presenters I directed at GMTV and Good Morning Britain.
‘His versatility was unmatched, and he had an innate ability to navigate any challenge from breaking news to technical hiccups, whether in the studio or on location he was brilliant.
‘Each Christmas, he and Penny Smith would bring the crew presents, showing just how much he cared about the team.
‘He was truly one of the good guys. Rest in peace, Stapes.’
Stapleton and his ‘on-screen wife’ Smith presented together for 17 years and they were emotionally reunited last month.
During the sit-down interview on GB News, he said he ‘can’t do anything about’ his Parkinson’s so there’s ‘no point moaning about it.’
Stapleton said: ‘The future is surviving, basically. Doing my best to cope with this, this downturn in my lifestyle, really. But as I say, I could be far worse off. I’ve got great mates, a lovely son and a lovely daughter-in-law.’
Television presenter Sangita Myska said Stapleton was ‘the epitome of collegiate behaviour’ and ‘a great journalist, role model and gentleman’.
She wrote: ‘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! We continued to message from time to time over the years. He was always quick with praise and wisdom.
‘When I left the BBC and landed at LBC he made a point of listening to my first show. He could not have been more encouraging. 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.’
GMB presenter Charlotte Hawkins shared a photo of the pair in the studio together when he came on the show last year and wrote: ‘So sad to hear John Stapleton – our ‘Stapes’ has died.
‘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.’
