John Stapleton's son shared heartbreaking fear for his dad days before he died

This morning the sad news broke that broadcaster John Stapleton had died at the age of 79 following his battle with Parkinson’s disease. It was confirmed by his agent that the disease was complicated with pneumonia and the much-loved presenter died peacefully in hospital early this morning.

The icon was known to many for his television work on shows including the BBC’s Watchdog, GMTV’s News Hour, Panorama and Newsnight.

Just days before his tragic passing, his son Nick, who is also a journalist and broadcaster, appeared on BBC's Morning Live and revealed the heartbreaking news that his dad had “taken a turn for the worse”. Featuring on Monday’s instalment, Nick provided a health update but it wasn’t looking good.

As they introduced their guests, host Helen Skelton started: “We have got Dr Punam, Louise Minchin, Gloria Hunniford and Scam Interceptors’ Nick Stapleton is joining us on Zoom.”

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Co-host Gethin Jones quipped: “Me and Nick will be lucky to get a word in today with you. It’s lovely to see you all. Nick, you should be with us. Actually, you were supposed to be up in Manchester last night for the Derby, Man City, Man United.

“You with your dad, both massive City fans, so happy this morning. But of course, John Stapleton, as we know him, legendary broadcaster, he’s taken a bit of a turn for the worse the last couple of days, so you wanted to be home this weekend.”

Nick responded: “Yeah, quite right. Unfortunately, dad’s got a bit of a chest infection, and that can be pretty nasty if you’ve got Parkinson’s. And I just felt like I really needed to be there with him this weekend and get him some help.

“And thankfully that is now in place, and I’m hopeful that, you know, he’ll be back on form pretty soon.” Extending his support, Gethin concluded: “Absolutely. Well, we send him all our love, of course.”

John’s agent, Jackie Gill, said in a statement today: “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.”

Last year, John appeared on Morning Live with Nick and opened up about his diagnosis with the disease. He said: “Speaking is how I’ve earned my living for the best part of 50 years.

“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.

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

He added: "There’s no point in being miserable… It won’t ever change. I mean, 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.”

Nick, who followed in his dad's footsteps to become a journalist and broadcaster, said that, while his father’s diagnosis has been “really upsetting”, it did not come as a surprise because his grandmother also had the degenerative condition.

Tributes have begun pouring in for the much-loved journalist and television presenter, with Good Morning Britain star Charlotte Hawkins writing on X: “So sad to hear John Stapleton – our “Stapes” has died. He was such a brilliant broadcaster and I loved working with him on GMB.

“A genuinely lovely man. It was good to see him when he came in just a few months ago to talk about his Parkinson’s diagnosis. He’ll be much missed.”

Lizzie Cundy penned: “So sad to hear that dear John Stapleton has passed away. John was always so kind to me, he would always give me great advice about presenting and we’d always have fun chats about football. So kind, generous and funny. Thinking of all his family at this sad time. God bless you John.”

Radio icon Tony Blackburn wrote: “So sad to hear that broadcaster John Stapleton has died at the age of 79. I met him on several occasions and he was a very nice man and a fine broadcaster. RIP.”