John Stapleton dies at 79 after Parkinson’s battle

Veteran broadcaster John Stapleton has died in hospital at age 79 after battling Parkinson's disease, a condition complicated by pneumonia, his agent said. Stapleton’s long career included presenting on Newsnight, Panorama and GMTV's News Hour, and his work spanned nearly five decades. He died in the early hours of Thursday.

In a final television appearance from months earlier, Stapleton spoke candidly about living with Parkinson's on BBC One's Morning Live, describing tremors that make dressing a challenge and speech and balance difficulties that can be worsened by ambient noise. "I've still got the tremor, which is difficult and makes dressing a bit of a challenge some mornings," he said, adding that he sometimes struggles to be heard in noisy rooms. "The speech is another problem because you may be able to hear me now loud and clear, I hope you can at least, but if I go into a room where there's ambient noise like a pub, which I do occasionally frequent as you may know, I sometimes have to repeat myself." He acknowledged the ongoing physical toll, noting that his limbs are getting stiffer and that he cannot grip with his left hand and risks losing balance, which makes stairs and rapid movements dangerous. "I might fall over."

But he also tried to stay positive, telling viewers that life with the disease is not without hope. "But apart from that life is a barrel of laughs."

He recalled watching his mother suffer from Parkinson's and explained that he had seen first-hand what can happen. "My mother had Parkinson's so I saw first hand what can happen. She went from a very brilliant outgoing lady to one who was a prisoner in her own home. That is not a prospect I am looking forward to." He added that many people live almost normal lives with the disease and that ongoing research offers hope, saying, "I am doing the best I can. I have a lovely speech therapist who insists I talk more slowly and I have a keep fit lady who comes every week and absolutely knackers me."

Stapleton's agent, Jackie Gill, issued a statement confirming his death was due to Parkinson's disease complicated by pneumonia. It said: "John had Parkinson's disease which was complicated by pneumonia. His son Nick and daughter-in-law Lisa have been constantly at his side and John died peacefully in hospital this morning."

The broadcaster's family ties to television are well known. He was married to fellow presenter Lynn Faulds Wood, who died from a stroke in 2020 at the age of 72.

Last year, Stapleton spoke publicly about his battle with Parkinson's in an emotional interview on Morning Live. "Speaking is how I've earned my living for the best part of 50 years," he said. "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. There's no point in being miserable... It won't ever change." He also described the frustration of repetitive speech and acknowledged the impact of the disease on daily life, stressing a pragmatic, hopeful outlook.

Stapleton's death marks the loss of a veteran figure in British broadcasting, whose career included flagship current affairs and entertainment programs across major outlets. His longevity and willingness to speak openly about Parkinson's contributed to a broader conversation about the disease in the public sphere, and colleagues and viewers are expected to pay tribute to a broadcaster whose work helped shape decades of television reporting and storytelling.