'Always fair truthful and honourable.Huge fun too A rock-solid broadcaster & the ultimate gentleman

VIEWERS were happy to invite him into their living rooms and colleagues were honoured to share a studio with him.

- MARK JEFFERIES & LUCY NEEDHAM

John Stapleton, who has died aged 79, was a broadcasting legend, fondly remembered for his work on TV-am, GMTV and Daybreak.

Across a career spanning more than 50 years, he was just as comfortable in war-torn Iraq as he was on the Good Morning Britain sofa.

Alongside his wife, Lynn Faulds Wood, he also presented the BBC's consumer rights show Watchdog enhancing his reputation as a trusted friend to millions.

Kate Garraway, 58, who presented alongside John on GMTV, said: "Absolutely devastated to hear of the passing of my dear friend and journalistic hero. Rock-solid broadcaster and the ultimate gentleman.

"He was always lifting who was alongside him up, never crushing or ramming that he knew better down their throat, never taking over and always fair, truthful and honourable.

"Huge fun, too - no one told a story down the pub better than John.

"We will not see his like again."

Born in Oldham in 1946 to co-operative secretary Frank and teacher June, John began his career in local newspapers.

His friend, former newspaper columnist Paul Routledge, recalled: "John was a keen young reporter on the long-gone Daily Sketch in Manchester in the late 1960s when I knew him.