John Stapleton, the veteran broadcaster, made his final television appearance just months before his death at the age of 79. He appeared on BBC One's Morning Live in June to discuss his Parkinson's disease diagnosis, which he received in October last year.
During the interview, Stapleton described the challenges of living with the condition, including a persistent tremor that made dressing difficult and speech problems that became frustrating in noisy environments. He also noted stiffness in his limbs, loss of grip in his left hand, and balance issues that required careful movement.
Stapleton, who had seen his mother battle Parkinson's, acknowledged the potential for decline but remained positive, stating that many people live almost normal lives with the condition and that research continues. He credited his speech therapist and a fitness trainer for helping him manage.
Stapleton died in hospital on Sunday, 21 September, after contracting pneumonia. His agent, Jackie Gill, confirmed that his son Nick and daughter-in-law Lisa were by his side. Stapleton was best known for presenting BBC's Watchdog and GMTV's News Hour, alongside his late wife Lynn Faulds Wood, who died in 2020.
