The broadcaster John Stapleton, an element of British television since the 1980s, died at the age of 79 after receiving a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease in 2024.
Stapleton’s agent Jackie Gill said on Sunday: “John had Parkinson’s disease, who was complicated by pneumonia. His son Nick and his daughter-in-law Lisa were constantly by his side and John died peacefully in the hospital this morning. ”
Stapleton, presenter of Newsnight, Watchdog and GMTV’s News Hour, revealed his diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease in October 2024.
Appearing on Good Morning Britain of ITV after announcing his diagnosis, he said: “It is useless to be miserable … It will never change. Parkinson is there with me now for the rest of my life. The better I can do is try to control it and take the advice of all experts.”
The presenter was born in Oldham and began his professional life as an interns journalist in the North West, before moving to television as a BBC presenter nationwide, then for Newsnight, where he reported conflicts around the world.
Stapleton has become a familiar name after moving into the world of light entertainment and consumer affairs. He presented the BBC surveillance program between 1985 and 1993 alongside his wife, Lynn Faulds Wood, who died in 2020.
Watchdog was renowned for exposing poor quality manufacturing and illegal work practices, the team confronted with business owners.
In 2002, Stapleton found himself having a conversation with police officers after a segment on GMTV when a journalist was sent to see at what speed he could acquire cannabis in southern London.
After Stapleton showed drugs on GMTV, some viewers complained and the police questioned it despite the fact that he had clearly indicated that cannabis should be destroyed immediately after the show.
Stapleton said: “I received a message in my earpiece from the producer that there had been a complaint and that there was a metropolitan police officer who was waiting for me. I thought she was joking at the beginning but a charming lady’s inspector was waiting on the merits and we had a little conversation. She wanted to know how it was in possession and it was.”
Stapleton was also part of the presentation team, alongside Sir Trevor McDonald and Roger Cook, for the controversial debate of Carlton Television in 1997 on the monarchy, in which the members of the public gave their point of view on the future of the royal family.
Sir Robin Day called The Show, which was filmed at the National Exhibition Center in Birmingham and included audible audible huts, who also heckled the panelists, “the most contemptible program I have ever looked at”.
Steve Clark, Carlton’s factual program manager at the time, defended the noisy debate, asking: “Is the level of debate in the House of Commons better than that?”
It ended with a survey of 2.5 million calls, of which 66% thought there should be a future for the monarchy.
After revealing the diagnosis of his parkinson, Stapleton made BBC One in the morning live to discuss his illness. “Talking is the way I earned my life for the best of 50,” he said. “It is very frustrating sometimes, in particular [when] People say constantly: “Sorry, what did you say?” And you should repeat yourself, many and many times.
“I am quite pragmatic as to the prospect that this is getting worse. I try to remain positive, because what is it for not to be? ”
He also associated himself with Children in Need and sang a song from the musical and Juliette after revealing that he had used the song to face his diagnosis.
Stapleton’s son Nick followed him on television, becoming the co-presenter of the BBC Winning Daytime Series Winning BBC scam.
