Veteran broadcaster John Stapleton, a familiar face to generations, has died.

Stapleton passed away peacefully in the hospital, his agent, Jackie Gill, confirmed to the BBC. Gill stated that his Parkinson’s disease was worsened by pneumonia and that his son Nick and daughter-in-law Lise were “always by his side.”

Stapleton was 79.

Stapleton was a prominent figure on British TV, appearing on shows like the BBC’s Watchdog and GMTV’s News Hour. He started his career at the Oldham Chronicle.

Former Good Morning Britain presenter Charlotte Hawkins paid tribute to Stapleton, calling him a “brilliant broadcaster” and a “genuinely lovely man,” per the BBC.

Erron Gordon, Good Morning Britain co-creator and current BBC department head, said Stapleton’s on-air versatility was “unmatched.”

“He h

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