Veteran broadcaster John Stapleton dies aged 79

The 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.

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".

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 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.

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.

Stapleton with fellow broadcaster Vanessa Feltz and jockey Frankie Dettori at Newmarket race course in 1997

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.

John 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".

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.

"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."

Former LBC Radio host Sangita Myska said Stapleton was "a great journalist, role model and gentleman".

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."