Tributes for veteran TV host and 'good man' Stapleton

Tributes have been paid to veteran broadcaster John Stapleton, who has died in hospital at the age of 79. Confirming his death yesterday morning, his agent Jackie Gill said Stapleton had Parkinson's disease, which was complicated by pneumonia.

- ALEX CROFT

"His son Nick and daughter-in-law Lise have been constantly at his side, and John died peacefully in hospital this morning," she said in a statement.

Stapleton was best known for his work as a presenter and reporter on ITV breakfast television, as well as hosting Watchdog and Nationwide on the BBC. The broadcaster, who is also known for presenting programmes including Newsnight, Panorama and GMTV's News Hour, revealed he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's in October 2024.

Parkinson's is a brain disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements, such as shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination. Often, the disease can become more severe over time.

Speaking to The Mirror, about his diagnosis, Stapleton said: “You can’t escape these things as you grow older, these kinds of developments are sort of inevitable. You learn to live with it, get on with it and try to be as positive as you can.”