Beloved British broadcaster John Stapleton has died at age 79.
The world of British broadcasting is in mourning today following the death of veteran journalist and presenter John Stapleton, who has passed away at the age of 79. His agent, Jackie Gill, confirmed the news, stating that he died peacefully in hospital this morning, with his son Nick and daughter-in-law Lisa by his side.
Stapleton, a familiar and trusted face to millions of viewers for decades, had been battling Parkinson’s disease, a condition he publicly revealed in October 2024. His death was a result of complications from pneumonia.
A Career Spanning Half a Century
John Stapleton’s career was a testament to his versatility and journalistic integrity, spanning more than 50 years across some of the UK’s most iconic news and current affairs programmes.
He began his professional life in local newspapers before making the transition to television in the 1970s.
He was a staple of ITV breakfast television, presenting on programmes like TV-am, GMTV, and later, Daybreak.
Viewers also knew him well for his work as a reporter and presenter on the BBC, where he hosted the consumer show Watchdog alongside his late wife, Lynn Faulds Wood, and was a reporter for the flagship current affairs show Newsnight.
His career saw him cover major global events, including the war in Iraq and the Asian tsunami, and he interviewed every Prime Minister from James Callaghan to Tony Blair. In 2004, he was named the Royal Television Society’s News Presenter of the Year.
A Public Battle with Parkinson’s
In a courageous and heartfelt appearance on BBC’s Morning Live last year, Stapleton went public with his Parkinson’s diagnosis. He spoke candidly about the frustration of the condition, particularly for a man who had made his living through speaking.
He approached the illness with a sense of pragmatism and positivity, a message that resonated deeply with viewers and patients.
“Parkinson’s is here with me now for the rest of my life,” he said at the time. “Best I can do is try and control it and take the advice of all the experts.” His willingness to share his personal struggle helped raise awareness for the condition and showcased his enduring character.
Tributes Pour In
Following the news of his passing, tributes from colleagues and friends across the media landscape have been flooding in.
- Mark Austin, a former ITV News presenter, described him on X as “a good man and top presenter who could turn his hand to anything.”
- Charlotte Hawkins, a GMB presenter who worked with him, said “Our ‘Stapes’ has died. He was such a brilliant broadcaster… A genuinely lovely man.”
- Sangita Myska called him “the epitome of collegiate behaviour” and “a great journalist, role model and gentleman.”
John Stapleton is survived by his son, Nick, and his daughter-in-law, Lisa. His legacy as a journalist and a truly decent human being will be sorely missed by those who knew him and the millions he informed and entertained for generations.
