GMTV legend fights tears as she returns after 15 years for John Stapleton tribute

John Stapleton's former GMTV co-host Penny Smith has paid a tearful tribute to the late broadcaster. The TV presenter returned to ITV after 15 years to speak about John, who died yesterday aged 79 after battling Parkinson's disease complicated by pneumonia.

Announcing the broadcasting icon's death on Sunday, John's agent Jackie Gill said in a statement: "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." Now, Penny Smith - who hosted hosting GMTV from 1993 until 2010 - has paid tribute to the "brilliant" broadcaster.

READ MORE: Good Morning Britain announces show update following TV legend John Stapleton's death

READ MORE: Kate Garraway and Susanna Reid speak out on death of ITV co-star

Speaking to Good Morning Britain, she said: "He was professional, he was clever, he was a brilliant interviewer."

She continued: "He was everything you could possible want in a co-host." Becoming emotional, Penny added: "For me, the Stapes that I will hold in my heart is the fun Stapes."

Since leaving GMTV when it was relaunched as Daybreak in 2010, Penny has hosted shows on BBC Radio London, BBD Radio 2 and Scala Radio.

She also joined Eamonn Holmes on GB News to cover for Ellie Costello earlier this year.

Earlier today, Good Morning Britain paid tribute to John Stapleton after his death, with hosts Susanna Reid and Richard Madeley opening up about the broadcaster.

"We go on air this morning on Good Morning Britain holding in our hearts the family on John Stapleton," she said. "He was a part of this programme's history and a part of breakfast television history."

Richard added: "He was a major figure at the BBC and a major figure at ITV. He was huge."

Susanna continued: "We will be remembering John throughout the programme. We were lucky enough to interview John last year, when he described in his own words, coming out about his Parkinson's diagnosis. He was so incredibly positive."

John appeared on GMB last year to open up about his Parkinson's diagnosis. He said that he was refusing to be "miserable" and was "learning to live with it".

John's son Nick appeared on Morning Live just days before his tragic death, revealing that his dad had "taken a turn for the worse".

Appearing on the show last Monday, he said: "Unfortunately, dad’s got a bit of a chest infection, and that can be pretty nasty if you’ve got Parkinson’s. And I just felt like I really needed to be there with him this weekend and get him some help.

“And thankfully that is now in place, and I’m hopeful that, you know, he’ll be back on form pretty soon.”

Join The Mirror’s WhatsApp Community or follow us on Google News, Flipboard, Apple News, TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram, Twitter , Facebook , and Threads - or visit The Mirror homepage.