Broadcaster John Stapleton has died at the age of 79, his agent has confirmed.

The iconic British journalist died peacefully in hospital early this morning after a battle with Parkinson’s disease complicated by pneumonia.

Mr Stapleton was best known for his work as a presenter and reporter on ITV breakfast television.

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.”

Mr Stapleton had appeared on GB News Breakfast just two weeks ago, where he spoke to Eamonn Holmes about his Parkinson’s disease.

He said: “I’ve got a thing called Parkinson’s disease, which is what they call a progressive illness, which is a polite way of saying it’ll only get worse, but I’m thinking positively about it.

“I’m speaking as well as I can because I need a speech therapist to talk more slowly and more clearly.

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“I also have difficulty swallowing, and the latest thing is I’ve had difficulty with my balance.”

Mr Stapleton was a renowned television presenter, hosting ITV breakfast shows including GMTV and Daybreak.

He also hosted Nationwide and Watchdog for the BBC.

He was recognised for his work, winning the Royal Television Society’s News Presenter of the Year award in 2003.

His first job in television was as a researcher and script writer on This Is Your Life, presented by Eamonn Andrews at the time.

He joined the BBC Nationwide programme in 1975 as a reporter, before becoming one of their main presenters from 1977 to 1980.

The legendary broadcaster reported on several major events throughout the 80s, 90s and 2000s, including the Boxing Day 2004 tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, the war in Kosovo and Iraq, as well as anchoring four US elections.

In 2015, he left ITV, continuing work as a substitute presenter on LBC, and appeared on TV as a pundit.

Discussing Parkinson’s disease on GB News, the legendary broadcaster said: “I mean, it’s all about awareness, you know, making a light of it, having a few laughs as well.

“You can’t all be downhearted about these things? Can you?”

Recalling his time in television, he said: “I had a great run. I was in the business, I was in television for 45 years.

“Some ups and downs, like we all have, you know, I have absolutely no complaints. I was lucky.”