John Stapleton dies: GMB legend dies aged 79 after Parkinson's disease battle

Broadcaster John Stapleton, 79, who had Parkinson's disease complicated 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 constantly at his side and John died peacefully in hospital this morning."

Last year, the Good Morning Britain presenter revealed his condition in an emotional interview on BBC One's Morning Live.

He opened up about on Good Morning Britain last year. He said: "There's no point in being miserable or trying to change anything, it won't ever change. It won't ever change, 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 I'm talking to." In a poignant moment, he added in a heartbreaking seven-word response: "I've got 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 confirm, about two to three months ago, he confirmed it was indeed Parkinson's. Also, I had other symptoms as well - difficulty swallowing, handwriting going, I would find myself writing tiny letters that no one else could decipher, feeling fatigued a lot of the time when I wouldn't do otherwise 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 noticed his dad suffering more. He said: "Over the last year, I've started to notice that dad was seeming a bit more anxious.

"He wasn't walking 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 known for appearing on Newsnight, Panorama and GMTV's News Hour. He was also one of Sky News' original presenters.

For help and support with Parkinson's, you can contact charity Parkinson's UK on their free confidential helpline 0808 800 0303 or visit their website.