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Veteran broadcaster John Stapleton, 79, dies 'peacefully' John Stapleton: Renowned TV presenter dies aged 79
(about 2 hours later)
The presenter revealed his Parkinson's condition in television interviewsThe presenter revealed his Parkinson's condition in television interviews
Veteran broadcaster John Stapleton has died at the age of 79 after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, his agent has said. Renowned TV presenter John Stapleton has died peacefully in hospital at the age of 79, his agent has said.
The presenter, who featured widely on programmes including the BBC's Watchdog and GMTV's News Hour and began his career at the Oldham Chronicle, died in hospital on Sunday morning. The face of factual programming for a generation, Stapleton featured widely on shows such as the BBC's Watchdog and GMTV's News Hour, after beginning his career at the Oldham Chronicle.
His condition was complicated by pneumonia, his agent said. Paying tribute, former Good Morning Britain presenter Charlotte Hawkins described the broadcaster as a "brilliant broadcaster" and a "genuinely lovely man".
Jackie Gill said "his son Nick and daughter-in-law Lisa have been constantly at his side and John died peacefully in hospital". His agent Jackie Gill said his Parkinson's disease was complicated by pneumonia, and that his son Nick and daughter-in-law Lisa had been "constantly at his side".
Born in Oldham in 1946, Stapleton began his career in newspapers before presenting on the BBC's Panorama and Newsnight, where he reported from conflicts in the Middle East, El Salvador and Argentina during the Falklands War. "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," said Erron Gordon, Good Morning Britain co-creator and current BBC department head, describing Stapleton's on-air versatility as "unmatched".
He also presented GMB, before returning to the BBC in 1986 to to present consumer show Watchdog alongside his wife Lynn Faulds Wood, until 1993. His wife died in 2020. After beginning his career at local newspapers in north-west England, Stapleton moved into TV, joining the BBC's Nationwide programme in 1975.
In the 1990s, he presented ITV discussion show The Time, The Place until 1998, the year he began hosting GMTV's The News Hour with Penny Smith. He then became a journalist for the corporation's flagship current affairs programme Newsnight when it launched in 1980, reporting from Argentina during the Falklands war.
Stapleton with fellow broadcaster Vanessa Feltz and jockey Frankie Dettori at Newmarket race course in 1997 He then moved to ITV in 1983, where he was part of the team that launched the channel's TV-am breakfast show, before returning to the BBC three years later to front the consumer advice programme Watchdog with his wife, Lynn Faulds Wood.
A range of tributes have been paid to Stapleton, including form Good Morning Britain presenter Charlotte Hawkins, who described him as a "brilliant broadcaster". Wood died of a stroke in 2020, leaving Stapleton to come to terms with his Parkinson's diagnosis four years later with the support of their one son, Nick, who is also a BBC journalist.
She said: "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. Stapleton co-presented the BBC's Watchdog programme with his wife Lynn Faulds Wood in the 1980s
"He'll be much missed." At the time he was diagnosed, Stapleton told the BBC he was trying to remain positive, "because what's the point in not being?"
Newsreader Mark Austin said his death was "incredibly sad". A month after revealing his diagnosis, Stapleton challenged himself to sing for Children in Need, saying this had helped him with the symptoms, especially his tremors.
"A good man and top presenter who could turn his hand to anything. Best wishes to his family," he said. To learn how to sing, he joined the cast of musical & Juliet.
Following his time on Watchdog, Stapleton went to ITV again to join GMTV, its successor to TV-am.
There, he covered a range of global news stories, from the war in Kosovo to Hurricane Katrina.
Stapleton also interviewed big names of the time, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Princess Michael of Kent.
He stayed with the channel after GMTV ended in 2010, appearing on both Daybreak and Good Morning Britain, where he made regular appearances until 2015.
John Stapleton alongside Coronation Street star Pat Phoenix laughs alongside John Stapleton and Labour leader Neil Kinnock in a TV studioJohn Stapleton alongside Coronation Street star Pat Phoenix laughs alongside John Stapleton and Labour leader Neil Kinnock in a TV studio
Good Morning Britain co-creator Erron Gordon said broadcaster John Stapleton's "versatility was unmatched". Former LBC radio host Sangita Myska described Stapleton as "a great journalist, role model and gentleman".
In a post on X, Mr Gordon wrote: "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. She added in a social media post: "I watched him on TV when I was growing up with admiration."
"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." Born in Oldham in 1946, Stapleton was a huge Manchester City fan. When asked by the Independent in 2008 what he would do if he did not work in the media, he replied he would "spend even more time travelling the country watching Manchester City".
Former LBC Radio host Sangita Myska said Stapleton was "a great journalist, role model and gentleman". The seven-time Premier League champions said the team was saddened to learn of his death, adding: "He will be missed."
In a post on X, Myska 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."
John Stapleton reported from El Salvador and the Middle East in the 1980s
Stapleton was an ardent fan of Manchester City, who also paid tribute to him.
The club said: "Manchester City are saddened to learn that John Stapleton has passed away at the age of 79.
"John was a passionate City supporter and a regular at the Etihad Stadium. He will be missed. Our thoughts are with John's family and friends at this difficult time."
Stapleton revealed his diagnosis in television interviews in October 2024.
Appearing on ITV's Good Morning Britain, 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."
Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.