John Stapleton said he felt ‘duty bound’ to share his Parkinson’s diagnosis to let others know they were not alone
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, 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.”
John revealed his diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease in October 2024. He joked that like comedian Billy Connolly he had decided to ‘come out.’
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
Speaking about his first symptoms, John said it started with a tremor in hand 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.
“And, of course, my voice—it’s lost a lot of its resonance. I have to speak louder now. I’m working with a speech therapist who’s helping me a great deal, teaching me to project my voice. That’s why I’m really concentrating on what I’m saying right now,” he explained.
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.’
Television presenter Mark Austin said the death of broadcaster John Stapleton was “incredibly sad”.
Responding to the news in a post on X, Austin wrote: “Incredibly sad. A good man and top presenter who could turn his hand to anything. Best wishes to his family.”
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 incarnations of itv breakfast. Always a gent and when he found out I’m from a Man City background too, that was it, you couldn’t stop him on the subject. City was his great passion.”
Manchester City posted on X: “Manchester City are saddened to learn that John Stapleton has passed away at the age of 79. John was a passionate City supporter and a regular at the Etihad Stadium. He will be missed. Our thoughts are with John’s family and friends at this difficult time.” The club added “RIP John” with a blue heart.
Speaking to the Mirror last year, John spoke fondly of his varied TV career.
“I had a wonderful time. I’ve worked for the BBC, I worked for ITV, and there’s been a few ups and downs but, overall, I’ve been very lucky.”