John Stapleton's heartwarming gesture to Fiona Phillips has resurfaced following the TV legend's death at 79. Stapleton passed away yesterday due to complications from Parkinson's disease, which was compounded by pneumonia.
Former This Morning editor Martin Frizell, who is married to Phillips, shared a clip on social media showing Stapleton and other GMTV presenters dressed as 1970s pop group The Osmonds. They performed 'Love Me For A Reason' to surprise Phillips when she left the show. Frizell captioned the post: 'Here’s the proof that Stapes was a good sport with a great sense of humour.'
Phillips was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's in 2022. Stapleton revealed his Parkinson's diagnosis in October 2024, noting he had experienced symptoms such as a tremor and voice changes for years before being officially diagnosed in April 2024.
Stapleton's son Nick, who presents BBC's Scam Interceptors, encouraged him to go public with his condition to help others feel 'not alone.' The pair appeared on BBC's Morning Live in October 2024 to discuss the impact of the disease.
Stapleton's agent confirmed he died peacefully in hospital with his son and daughter-in-law by his side. His career spanned over 50 years, covering global news events and fronting beloved TV shows.
