Good Morning Britain has shared a lengthy social media post about former ITV presenter John Stapleton who has passed away at the age of 79

John Stapleton hosting Good Morning Britain with Kate Garraway(Image: S Meddle/ITV/Shutterstock)

ITV daytime show Good Morning Britain has paid tribute to TV legend John Stapleton following his death this weekend and has announced plans to mark the broadcaster’s life in the next edition of the ITV morning show.

The veteran journalist died at the age of 79, his agent told the PA news agency. He was famous for presenting on programmes including the BBC’s Watchdog and GMTV’s News Hour and died in hospital on Sunday morning.

His agent, Jackie Gill, said 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.”

Good Morning Britain shared a photo of John Stapleton on the TV show following his death(Instagram/GMB)

John revealed his diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease in October 2024.

Appearing on ITV’s Good Morning Britain after announcing his diagnosis, he said: “There’s no point in being miserable… It won’t ever change.

“I mean, Parkinson’s is here with me now for the rest of my life. Best I can do is try and control it and take the advice of all the experts.”

Following his death, the official Good Morning Britain Instagram account shared a photo of John along with a tribute – and it was also announced that Monday’s edition of the ITV show (September 22) will be paying a special tribute to him.

John was a legendary TV presenter(ITV/Shutterstock)

The post read: “Our friend and colleague John Stapleton died in hospital on Sunday morning at the age of 79.

“In a broadcasting career that spanned five decades, John Stapleton was one of ITV’s most trusted and respected news journalists and a much loved face of breakfast television.”We are saddened to hear of his passing and we send our love and very deepest sympathies to his family and friends, as well as his many colleagues who will always remember him fondly.”We will be paying tribute to him on tomorrow’s GMB.”

The post received a host of comments from fans and former co-stars with presenter Jenni Falconer saying: “I remember meeting him just after starting at GMTV and I was in awe. He was an icon in his field and he made me feel so at home. A truly lovely man.”

Loose Women’s Kaye Adams said: “A pleasure to know him , the loveliest of men.” While This Morning’s Kate Lawler added: “Loved John.”

Meanwhile, former GMB journalist and This Morning Editor Martin Frizell shared a throwback photo on Instagram which included John with Martin’s wife Fiona Phillips and Kate Garraway as he paid tribute to him.

He wrote, “What fun we had. Such sad news to hear that Stapes, as we called him, has passed away. He was a colleague and friend and a constant presence for a large part of my career, we covered stories together in Kosovo and Iraq, laughed and lunched – a lot.”