Broadcaster John Stapleton has died aged 79

Broadcaster John Stapleton - a familiar face on news and current affairs shows for decades - has died.

The 79-year-old, who had Parkinson's disease complicated by pneumonia, died peacefully in hospital this morning.

Stapleton was known for his work on programmes such as Watchdog, Newsnight, Good Morning Britain, Panorama and GMTV's News Hour.

He was also among Sky News' original presenters.

Stapleton's agent, Jackie Gil, said: "His son Nick and daughter-in-law Lisa have been constantly at his side and John died peacefully in hospital this morning."

In October last year, Stapleton opened up about his Parkinson's diagnosis, a condition his mother also had.

"I am fairly pragmatic about the prospect of this getting worse," he said. "I try to remain positive, because what's the point of not being?"

"Speaking is how I've earned my living for the best part of 50 years," he said in a BBC interview.

"It's very frustrating sometimes, particularly (when) people are constantly saying to you, 'sorry, what did you say?' And you have to repeat yourself, time and time again."

Stapleton was born in Oldham and began his career at local papers in Greater Manchester.

It would last more than 50 years and saw him cover many of the biggest news events of the day, interview prime ministers, and appear in shows with millions of viewers.

In 2004, he was named the Royal Television Society's presenter of the year for his work on the Iraq War and a series of interviews that included Sir Tony Blair.

His wife, Lynn Faulds Wood, with whom Stapleton presented Watchdog in the late 80s and early 90s, died from a stroke in 2020.

(c) Sky News 2025: Broadcaster John Stapleton has died aged 79