John Stapleton has died.
The esteemed broadcaster-and-journalist – who had Parkinson’s illness sophisticated by pneumonia – handed away in hospital on Sunday (21.09.25) morning aged 79.
His agent Jackie Gill stated in an announcement: “John had Parkinson’s illness which was sophisticated by pneumonia.
“His son Nick and daughter-in-law Lisa have been consistently at his aspect and John died peacefully in hospital this morning.”
Tributes have poured in for John – who’s survived by his son Nick and daughter-in-law Lisa.
Sky Information anchor Mark Austin, 66, wrote on X: “Extremely unhappy. A superb man and prime presenter who may flip his hand to something. Greatest needs to his household ….”
Erron Gordon, who directed ITV’s Good Morning Britain and GMTV – two breakfast tv information programmes which John offered – penned on X: “John Stapleton was one of many perfect presenters I directed at GMTV and @GMB.
“His versatility was unmatched, and he had an innate means to navigate any problem from breaking information to technical hiccups, whether or not within the studio or on location he was sensible. Every Christmas, he and @WhichPennySmith would deliver the crew presents, exhibiting simply how a lot he cared in regards to the group.
“He was really one of many good guys.
“Relaxation in peace, Stapes. (sic)”
And Ben Briscoe, GB Information’ Head of Programming, stated on X: “So unhappy to listen to that the unbelievable John Stapleton has died.
“A tremendous mentor and one of many kindest individuals in TV information. I used to be so fortunate to have labored with him for therefore lengthy, assembly him on my very first day in TV over 20 years in the past.
“Only a few weeks in the past I reunited him with Penny and it was a magical second. Thanks John to your fixed recommendation, kindness and laughs.
“You’ll be sorely missed.”
Through the October 21, 2024, episode of BBC’s Morning Stay, John revealed he had Parkinson’s – a progressive neurological situation during which elements of the mind grow to be broken over a few years, and trigger shaking, slowness of motion and stiffness.
Nick – who accompanied his dad on the programme – stated: “Over the past 12 months, I’ve began to note that dad was seeming a bit extra anxious, wasn’t strolling as confidently and he had this tremor in his hand.
“So two months in the past, he went for some assessments and sadly a couple of days later he was recognized with Parkinson’s illness. It was deeply troubling information.”
John – who was a presenter and reporter on a collection of breakfast tv programmes all through his illustrious profession – stated having the illness was “irritating”.
He added on Morning Stay: “Talking is how I’ve earned my residing for the perfect a part of 50 years, and it’s very irritating typically, significantly if persons are consistently saying to you, ‘Sorry, what did you say?’ And it’s important to repeat your self time and time and time once more.
“I’m pretty pragmatic in regards to the prospect of this getting worse. I attempt to stay optimistic, as a result of what’s the purpose of not being [positive]?”
John – who started his profession on native newspapers in North West England earlier than turning into a workers reporter on the Every day Sketch in Fleet Road, London – additionally stated he was reluctant to enter care following his Parkinson’s prognosis.
Talking to Nick, he defined: “I would be very reluctant to go away the home, I could have to come back to the choice together with your assist… however I need to keep the place I’m.
“There could also be some sensible points which will grow to be harder, like the steps, the steps is an issue now. I might undoubtedly have a stairlift as an alternative of shifting out of the home.”
“I might be keen to enter care reluctantly. I might try to cling on for so long as doable however I’m a realist.”
John’s spouse Lynn Faulds Wooden, who helmed the BBC client rights programme Watchdog from 1986 till 1993 with John, died of a stroke attributable to antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) – an autoimmune illness that causes an elevated threat of blood clots – in 2020 aged 72.
Talking about Lynn – who survived bowel most cancers and pores and skin most cancers – John informed Lorraine Kelly, 65, throughout an episode of her eponymous ITV present in Could 2021: “When Lynn began campaigning there have been individuals in our enterprise who couldn’t deliver themselves to say the phrase most cancers… Lynn would have none of that after all.
“She saved hundreds of lives. She was nonetheless doing it proper on the finish. She would at all times discover some ray of hope.”