Veteran broadcaster John Stapleton has died at the age of 79 after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, his agent has said.

The presenter, who featured widely on programmes including the BBC’s Watchdog and GMTV’s News Hour and began his career at the Oldham Chronicle, died in hospital on Sunday morning.

His Parkinson’s disease was complicated by pneumonia, his agent said.

Jackie Gill said “his son Nick and daughter-in-law Lisa have been constantly at his side and John died peacefully in hospital”.

Stapleton revealed his diagnosis in October 2024.

Appearing on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, 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.”