Susanna Reid fights back tears as tributes pour in for John Stapleton after death at 79

Veteran broadcaster John Stapleton has died at 79 after complications linked to Parkinson's disease and pneumonia, his agent said. He died peacefully in hospital yesterday morning, prompting a wave of tributes from colleagues and viewers alike.

Good Morning Britain opened Monday with heartfelt tributes as Susanna Reid visibly fought back tears and Richard Madeley acknowledged that he could not believe Stapleton was gone. Reid paid tribute to Stapleton's wit and warmth, saying he was a part of the programme's history and of breakfast television history. Madeley said the loss would be felt broadly across British broadcasting as colleagues remembered him as a major figure at both the BBC and ITV.

Stapleton's career spanned more than four decades, establishing him as one of television journalism's enduring names. He began at the BBC, working on flagship programmes such as Panorama, before co-presenting Watchdog alongside his wife, Lynn Faulds Wood. The couple became 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, remaining on the sofa until 2015. Colleagues frequently highlighted his ability to fuse sharp journalistic instincts with on-screen charm, making guests feel at ease even when handling difficult stories.

The news of Stapleton's death comes as family and colleagues reflect on a career that helped shape daytime television in Britain. His son, Nick Stapleton, provided an update on the BBC's Morning Live, describing a sudden downturn and a chest infection that required treatment, with Nick expressing hope his father would recover and be back on form soon.

Tributes continued to flow from across the broadcasting world. Lorraine Kelly offered a heartfelt memory of Stapleton, noting his Parkinson's diagnosis and praising his resilience and impact. Health editor Dr Hilary Jones joined in on Good Morning Britain, recalling Stapleton as everybody's friend and an inspiration to those he met over the years.

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV1 from 6 a.m. and is available to stream on ITVX, with viewers remembering Stapleton as a defining figure who helped shape modern breakfast television.