John Stapleton dies at 79; tributes flow on Good Morning Britain

Veteran journalist John Stapleton died yesterday morning at age 79 after complications linked to Parkinson's disease and pneumonia, his agent said, prompting Monday's edition of Good Morning Britain to open with tributes.

Susanna Reid opened the show with remarks about Stapleton's place in breakfast television history, as she fought back tears. "We go on air this morning on Good Morning Britain holding in our hearts the family of John Stapleton," Reid said. Richard Madeley, visibly shaken, added: "I can't believe he's actually gone."

Stapleton's career spanned more than four decades. He began at the BBC, working on Panorama, before co-presenting Watchdog with his wife, Lynn Faulds Wood. The pair were one of television's most trusted duos until Lynn's death in 2020. In the 1980s, Stapleton was among the faces of TV-am's Good Morning Britain, presenting from 1983 to 1986. He later moved through GMTV and Daybreak before joining Good Morning Britain when it replaced Daybreak in 2014. He remained on the sofa until 2015.

Colleagues frequently highlighted his ability to combine sharp journalistic instincts with warmth on screen. Former co-hosts recalled how he put guests at ease even while handling difficult stories. The news of his death came amid a public update from his son, Nick Stapleton, who spoke on the BBC's Morning Live about his father's health after a sudden downturn and said care was in place as he remained hopeful for recovery.

The tribute wave extended beyond television colleagues. Lorraine Kelly offered a heartfelt message about Stapleton's impact on mornings from GMTV to Breakfast TV, and health editor Dr Hilary joined Reid on GMB to note that Stapleton was everybody's friend who inspired many viewers and fellow broadcasters alike. Reid herself also shared on X a reflection on Stapleton's legacy, calling him a legend in broadcasting, the consummate professional, and a gracious colleague.

Stapleton's Parkinson's diagnosis had been publicly discussed in October of last year in a BBC film, where he described the frustrations and determination that come with living with the condition. In a subsequent interview with the Mirror in November, he said Parkinson's was not going away, but that he would try to live with it and rely on medical guidance to stay positive. The broadcaster's long career included a pivotal role in shaping breakfast television across the BBC and ITV, and his presence on GMB helped define the program during its formative years and beyond.

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX. Stapleson's death marks the passing of a veteran journalist who helped shape generations of morning news and entertainment viewers across the United Kingdom.