Veteran broadcaster John Stapleton, 79, dies ‘peacefully’

Veteran broadcaster John Stapleton has died at the age of 79 after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, 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.

His condition was complicated by pneumonia, his agent said.

Jackie Gill said “his son Nick and daughter-in-law Lisa have been constantly at his side and John died peacefully in hospital”.

A range of tributes have been paid to Stapleton, including form Good Morning Britain presenter Charlotte Hawkins, who described him as a “brilliant broadcaster”.

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.

“He’ll be much missed.”

Newsreader Mark Austin said his death was “incredibly sad”.

“A good man and top presenter who could turn his hand to anything. Best wishes to his family,” he said.

Good Morning Britain co-creator Erron Gordon said Stapleton’s “versatility was unmatched”.

In a post on X, Mr Gordon wrote: “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.”

Born in Oldham, Greater Manchester, Stapleton presented Watchdog with his wife Lynn from 1985 to 1993.

He 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.”