John Stapleton dies: GMB legend dies aged 79 after | UK News

Broadcaster John Stapleton, 79, who had Parkinson’s disease difficult by pneumonia, died peacefully in hospital early this morning, his agent said.

Jackie Gill said: “John had Parkinson’s disease which was complicated by pneumonia.

“His son Nick and daughter-in-law Lisa have been consistently at his facet and John died peacefully in hospital this morning.”

John spoke about his illness on TV, and opened up about on Good Morning Britain last year. He said: “There’s no level in being depressing or making an attempt to change something, it will not ever change. It will not ever change, Parkinson’s is right here with me now for the remaining of my life. Best I can do is strive and control it and take the advice of all the consultants I’m speaking to.” In a poignant moment, he added in a heartbreaking seven-word response: “I’ve obtained it, get on with it!”

He first suspected he had Parkinson’s a few years before he was diagnosed, and spoke to a specialist.

Stapleton added: “So I went back and of course he did verify, about two to three months in the past, he confirmed it was certainly Parkinson’s. Also, I had other symptoms as effectively – problem swallowing, handwriting going, I might discover myself writing tiny letters that no one else may decipher, feeling fatigued a lot of the time when I would not do in any other case and of course the voice.

“The voice has lost a lot of its resonance so I have to speak louder! I’ve got a speech therapist who has helped me a great deal, teaching me to speak more loudly.”

John’s son Nick also spoke about his dad’s diagnosis, explaining he had observed his dad struggling more. He said: “Over the last year, I’ve started to notice that dad was seeming a bit more anxious.

“He wasn’t strolling as confidently and he had this tremor in his hand.

“So two months ago, he went for some tests and unfortunately a few days later he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.”

He continued: “It was deeply troubling news.”

Stapleton was best recognized for showing on Newsnight, Panorama and GMTV’s News Hour. He was also one of Gossip Wire News’ unique presenters.

For help and help with Parkinson’s, you’ll be able to contact charity Parkinson’s UK on their free confidential helpline 0808 800 0303 or go to their web site.