John Stapleton said he felt ‘duty bound’ to share his Parkinson’s diagnosis with others so they could be reminded that they weren’t the only ones who were affected.
John Stapleton has sadly died at the age of 79. The journalist and presenter had a stellar career in broadcasting stretching over 50 years that led him to the scene of global news events and fronting some of the nation’s best-loved TV shows.
His agent, Jackie Gill, stated in a statement today that John had pneumonia and Parkinson’s disease. His son Nick and daughter-in-law Lisa have always supported him, and John passed away peacefully this morning in the hospital. ”
In October of this year, John was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He made fun of the comedian Billy Connolly’s decision to “come out,” as he joked. ‘
Speaking to podcast Movers and Shakers, John said he was diagnosed in April 2024 after friends noticed his famous voice had lost some of its resonance and that he was walking with what he called the ‘Joe Biden shuffle’. John’s son Nick, who presents the BBC’s Scam Interceptors, suggested he go public with his health diagnosis and John agreed in the hopes of letting others know they were ‘not alone.’
The father and son duo appeared on BBC show Morning Live together where they shared how the news had impacted them. John admitted that while the news was bleak but he was determined to stay as positive as possible as he adjusted to his new way of life. John’s story attracted huge public attention and the former Watchdog campaigner found himself appearing across news channels again as he raised awareness about the condition.
READ MORE: John Stapleton dead: GMTV and Watchdog legend dies at 79
John described his first symptoms as a tremor that occurred three years before he was officially diagnosed.
He explained: “About two or three years ago, I started with a tremor. I went to see a specialist, and he said he didn’t think it was Parkinson’s. He called it something else—a benign essential tremor. I asked, “How do you get that?” and he said, “We haven’t a clue.” “But the symptoms got worse, so I went back,” said John. “That was about two or three months ago. This time, he confirmed it—it was indeed Parkinson’s. I also started having other symptoms: difficulty swallowing, my handwriting becoming illegible because I’d write in tiny letters no one could decipher, and feeling fatigued a lot of the time.
Additionally, my voice has lost a lot of its resonance, of course. I must speak more clearly right now. I’m collaborating with a speech therapist, who is assisting me greatly by teaching me how to project my voice. That’s why I’m focusing on what I’m saying right now, he said.
Following news of his death, many of John’s peers and even his beloved Manchester City spoke out to pay tribute to the star who has been described as a ‘good man and a top presenter.’
Mark Austin, a television presenter, described John Stapleton’s passing as “incredibly sad.”
Austin responded to the news in a Facebook post, writing, “Unbelievable sad. A trustworthy and accomplished presenter who could do anything. His family extends his best wishes. ”
Good Morning Britain presenter Charlotte Hawkins said John Stapleton was a “brilliant broadcaster” and a “genuinely lovely man”.Responding to the news in a post on X, Ms Hawkins wrote: “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.”
Money Saving Expert mogul Martin Lewis said he was ‘greatly saddened’ to hear ‘the great John Stapleton has passed away.’ Martin said: “He and his late wife Lynn were brilliant pioneers of consumer journalism, laying the ground for people like me. Thank you both.
“I had the pleasure of working with John on various itv breakfast incarnations. You couldn’t stop him on the subject because he was always a gent and discovered that I am also from a Man City background. His main passion was the city. “
Manchester City announced on X: “Manchester City are saddened to learn that John Stapleton has passed away. John was a regular at the Etihad Stadium and a devoted City supporter. He will be missed. At this difficult time, John’s family and friends are in our thoughts. The club added a blue heart to the phrase “RIP John.”
Speaking to the Mirror last year, John spoke fondly of his varied TV career.
Source: Mirror
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