Broadcaster John Stapleton has left behind a legacy in TV following his heartbreaking death at the age of 79 after suffering complications from Parkinson’s disease

Highly acclaimed presenter and journalist John Stapleton has died at the age of 79 following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. The broadcaster is believed to have died peacefully in hospital as his condition became complicated due to developing pneumonia.

John was best known for presenting shows including BBC’s Watchdog, TV-AM, GMTV and Good Morning Britain. His career spanned almost 50 years and was part of history as he also reported on the war in Kosovo and covered four US elections and Pope John Paul II’s funeral in Rome.

John told the public that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease last October but vowed to be resilient and upbeat as he was “learning to live with it.”

In a statement issued by his agent Jackie Gill, it read: “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.”

John leaves behind his son Nick who also works in TV as a documentary producer. The late presenter’s wife Lynn Faulds Wood sadly passed away five years prior to him at the age of 72.

Here we take a look at John’s life in pictures from his family life to his 50 year long career in TV.

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John Stapleton pictured with wife Lynn Faulds Wood

John Stapleton and his wife are seen here in 1986 for a photoshoot for Radio Times in connection with BBC’s Watchdog

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Image:
Getty Images)

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John Stapleton pictured with his family

The news presenter seen here with his wife Lynn Faulds Wood and their only son Nick who also now works in TV as a documentary producer

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Image:
EXPRESS NEWSPAPERS)

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John worked on GMTV since 1998

John Stapleton pictured here with co-presenter Penny Smith on GMTV. During his time on the ITV show he covered the war in Kososvo, the Boxing Day Tsunami in 2004 and Pope John Paul II’s funeral in Rome

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Image:
GMTV)

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TV-AM presenter John Stapleton celebrates show’s first anniversary in 1984

John is pictured here with Coronation Street actress Pat Phoenix and former Labour leader Neil Kinnock