A remembrance for the late John Stapleton was shared on Good Morning Britain after news of his passing during the weekend. The seasoned journalist was among the original team of the morning show when it debuted over a decade ago.
Susanna Reid expressed sentiments saying, “As we start our day on Good Morning Britain, we hold John Stapleton’s family close in our thoughts. He was an integral part of this program’s legacy and a significant figure in breakfast television history.”
Adding to this sentiment, Richard remarked, “John was a prominent personality at both the BBC and ITV, leaving a lasting impact.”
Reflecting on their interactions with John, Susanna shared, “Throughout the show, we will be honoring John’s memory. We had the privilege of interviewing him last year, where he candidly discussed his journey with Parkinson’s disease, showcasing his remarkable optimism.”
Highlighting his charm and kindness, Susanna described John as a broadcasting icon, acknowledging the profound loss felt by the industry. Visibly moved, Richard expressed disbelief, stating, “It’s hard to fathom his absence; it feels unreal.”
The announcement of John’s passing at the age of 79 was made the day before. His agent disclosed that he had been battling Parkinson’s disease complicated by pneumonia, and he passed away peacefully in a hospital. Tributes poured in from various quarters, including former colleagues.
Good Morning Britain paid homage to John, who was associated with the ITV show from 2014 to 2015, upon learning of his demise. John’s illustrious career spanned over a decade, involving stints at the BBC on programs like Panorama and Watchdog, co-hosted with his late wife Lynn Faulds Wood, who passed away in 2020. He also contributed to TV-am’s Good Morning Britain from 1983 to 1986.
During his tenure at ITV, John worked on GMTV and later on Daybreak before transitioning to Good Morning Britain, known as GMB, following the rebranding from Daybreak in 2014. He stayed on as a presenter on the show until the subsequent year.
The tribute on Good Morning Britain followed heartfelt posts by former colleagues on social media, including Susanna Reid, who expressed deep sorrow at John’s passing. She lauded him as a broadcasting legend, a consummate professional, and a delightful collaborator, underlining his significance in GMB’s narrative and television history.
The news of John’s demise emerged shortly after his son Nick Stapleton discussed his father’s health on Morning Live. Nick shared details of his father’s health struggles, expressing hope for his swift recovery.
John had bravely disclosed his Parkinson’s diagnosis in October the previous year, acknowledging the challenges it posed, especially in his profession. In an interview with the Mirror in November, he emphasized the importance of resilience and adapting to live positively with the condition.
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