'A broadcasting giant' - John Stapleton dies 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, died peacefully in hospital this morning. Stapleton appeared on well-known programmes such as Watchdog, Nationwide, Newsnight, Good Morning Britain, Panorama, and GMTV's News Hour.

He was also among the first Sky News presenters. Stapleton's agent, Jackie Gill, said his Parkinson's had been "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," she said in a statement. Former colleagues paid tribute to Stapleton's warmth and professionalism.

Sky News' Mark Austin posted on X: "Incredibly sad. A good man and top presenter who could turn his hand to anything." Good Morning Britain's Charlotte Hawkins called him a "brilliant broadcaster" and a "genuinely lovely man".

Fellow GMB presenter Susanna Reid said on X that Stapleton was a "legend in broadcasting" and "always good-humoured and gracious to work with". LBC's Iain Dale called him a "great interviewer" with "a real instinct for the mood of a nation".

"He was a good friend, a kind, wise and very funny man and he was a broadcasting giant," added the BBC's Nicky Campbell. "Effortless, relaxed and incisive.

A steel hand in a velvet glove. My condolences to all who loved him.

There are many. Rest in peace my friend." As a life-long Manchester City fan, the club also posted a tribute on X.

"John was a passionate City supporter and a regular at the Etihad Stadium," it said. "He will be missed.

Our thoughts are with John's family and friends at this difficult time." Stapleton was born in Oldham and began his career at local papers in Greater Manchester. In a career of over 50 years, he covered many of the biggest news events of the day, interviewing prime ministers and appearing in shows with millions of viewers.

He also worked for Sky News on a programme called Newsline in 1989, with Margaret Thatcher among those facing his questions during the channel's launch year. One of Stapleton's highlights was being named Royal Television Society presenter of the year in 2004 for his work on the Iraq War and a series of interviews that included Sir Tony Blair.

Read more from Sky News:British fighter jets defend Polish skies after drone incursionDuchess of York defends gushing message to Epstein His wife, Lynn Faulds Wood, with whom Stapleton presented Watchdog in the late 80s and early 90s, died from a stroke in 2020. 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 the 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.".