John Stapleton dead at 79
Esteemed broadcaster-and-journalist John Stapleton has died following a battle with Parkinson's disease.
John Stapleton has died.
The esteemed broadcaster-and-journalist - who had Parkinson's disease complicated by pneumonia - passed away in hospital on Sunday (21.09.25) morning aged 79.
His agent Jackie Gill said in a statement: "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."
Tributes have poured in for John - who is survived by his son Nick and daughter-in-law Lisa.
Sky News anchor Mark Austin, 66, wrote on X: "Incredibly sad. A good man and top presenter who could turn his hand to anything. Best wishes to his family …."
Erron Gordon, who directed ITV's Good Morning Britain and GMTV - two breakfast television news programmes which John presented - penned on X: "John Stapleton was one of the very best presenters I directed at GMTV and @GMB.
"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 @WhichPennySmith 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. (sic)"
And Ben Briscoe, GB News' Head of Programming, said on X: "So sad to hear that the incredible John Stapleton has died.
"An amazing mentor and one of the kindest people in TV news. I was so lucky to have worked with him for so long, meeting him on my very first day in TV over 20 years ago.
"Just a few weeks ago I reunited him with Penny and it was a magical moment. Thank you John for your constant advice, kindness and laughs.
"You will be sorely missed."
During the October 21, 2024, episode of BBC's Morning Live, John revealed he had Parkinson's - a progressive neurological condition in which parts of the brain become damaged over many years, and cause shaking, slowness of movement and stiffness.
Nick - who accompanied his dad on the programme - said: "Over the last year, I've started to notice that dad was seeming a bit more anxious, 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. It was deeply troubling news."
John - who was a presenter and reporter on a series of breakfast television programmes throughout his illustrious career - said having the disease was "frustrating".
He added on Morning Live: "Speaking is how I’ve earned my living for the best part of 50 years, and it’s very frustrating sometimes, particularly if people are constantly saying to you, ‘Sorry, what did you say?’ And you have to repeat yourself time and time and time again.
"I’m fairly pragmatic about the prospect of this getting worse. I try to remain positive, because what’s the point of not being [positive]?”
John - who began his career on local newspapers in North West England before becoming a staff reporter on the Daily Sketch in Fleet Street, London - also said he was reluctant to go into care following his Parkinson's diagnosis.
Speaking to Nick, he explained: "I'd be very reluctant to leave the house, I may have to come to the decision with your help... but I want to stay where I am.
"There may be some practical aspects that may become more difficult, like the stairs, the stairs is a problem now. I would definitely have a stairlift instead of moving out of the house."
"I would be willing to go into care reluctantly. I would try and cling on for as long as possible but I am a realist."
John's wife Lynn Faulds Wood, who helmed the BBC consumer rights programme Watchdog from 1986 until 1993 with John, died of a stroke caused by antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) - an autoimmune disease that causes an increased risk of blood clots - in 2020 aged 72.
Speaking about Lynn - who survived bowel cancer and skin cancer - John told Lorraine Kelly, 65, during an episode of her eponymous ITV show in May 2021: "When Lynn started campaigning there were people in our business who couldn’t bring themselves to say the word cancer… Lynn would have none of that of course.
"She saved thousands of lives. She was still doing it right at the end. She would always find some ray of hope."
