Broadcaster John Stapleton has revealed he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
The 78-year-old said he was “pragmatic” about the prospect of his condition getting worse – but insisted he was trying to “remain positive” and “as independent as I can” for as long as possible.
Stapleton is familiar to TV audiences through his work on programmes such as Newsnight, Panorama and GMTV’s News Hour.
In an interview on BBC One’s Morning Live, he said: “Speaking is how I’ve earned my living for the best part of 50 years.
“It’s very frustrating sometimes, particularly (when) people are constantly saying to you, ‘sorry, what did you say?’
“And you have to repeat yourself, time and time again.
“I am fairly pragmatic about the prospect of this getting worse. I try to remain positive, because what’s the point of not being?”
Stapleton’s son Nick said the diagnosis was “really upsetting”, but it did not come as a surprise because his grandmother had the degenerative condition.
Parkinson’s disease is a condition in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged over many years, with symptoms including tremors and slow movement, according to the NHS website.
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Image: Stapleton with his son Nick who said there was a family history of Parkinson’s. Pic: BBC Studios/PA
Stapleton said he had witnessed his mother’s “decline from this lively, ebullient, outgoing lady to a lady who is fairly fragile”.
“One of the practical problems she faced initially was her inability to do things like open a can of beans or peel a potato,” he added.
“Believe it or not, I’m having the same problem, to some extent, myself right now.”
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On the TV show, Nick Stapleton talked to his father about the future and how he could best support him.
Stapleton told his son: “I want to remain as independent as I can for as long as I possibly can.
“In terms of the house, I’d be very reluctant to leave it, which shall not surprise you at all.”
The presenter told his son he would use a stairlift if it was necessary. He added that although he would be reluctant to go into care, he was also “a realist”.
Following Stapleton’s announcement, the charity Parkinson’s UK offered their support to the journalist and his son “as they start John’s unique journey with the condition”.
“No one is alone with Parkinson’s, and we are here to support everyone,” the charity added.
The rapper Ghetts, who allegedly caused the death of a man in a hit-and-run collision, is facing further charges.
The rapper was charged at the end of last month after a 20-year-old died in a road incident in northeast London.
The musician, whose real name is Justin Clarke-Samuel, initially faced a single count of causing the death of Yubin Tamang by dangerous driving.
He now faces two further charges of driving dangerously before and after the collision on 18 October.
It is alleged he drove dangerously in Tavistock Place, in the Bloomsbury area of central London, and on other roads in the borough of Camden, north London.
The collision with Mr Tamang occurred in Redbridge Lane, Ilford, at 11.33pm on 18 October, the Met Police said. Clarke-Samuel is accused of failing to stop after his BMW hit the victim.
Mr Tamang died on 20 October.
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Clarke-Samuel allegedly continued to drive dangerously in Worcester Crescent, Redbridge, on the journey back to his home in King’s Avenue, Woodford, east London.
The black BMW, which is allegedly registered and insured in the defendant’s name, was said to have suffered significant damage.
The rapper has been in custody since a preliminary appearance at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court on 27 October.
Jimmy Cliff, a musical artist who helped bring reggae to an international audience, has died aged 81.
Known for hits including You Can Get It If You Really Want, The Harder They Come, and Many Rivers To Cross, his career spanned six decades.
Image: Cliff performing on the Pyramid Stage, at the Glastonbury Festival in 2003. Pic: PA
His wife, Latifa Chambers wrote on Instagram: “It’s with profound sadness that I share that my husband, Jimmy Cliff, has crossed over due to a seizure followed by pneumonia.
“I am thankful for his family, friends, fellow artists and coworkers who have shared his journey with him.
“To all his fans around the world, please know that your support was his strength throughout his whole career. He really appreciated each and every fan for their love.”
Thanking the medical staff who helped during his illness, she added: “Jimmy, my darling, may you rest in peace. I will follow your wishes.”
Signed by his wife, and two of his children, Latifa and Lilty, the statement concluded: “We see you Legend.”
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Tributes to the singer included those from Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, calling him “a true cultural giant whose music carried the heart of our nation to the world… Jimmy Cliff told our story with honesty and soul. His music lifted people through hard times, inspired generations, and helped to shape the global respect that Jamaican culture enjoys today.”
UB40 star Ali Campbell, who covered Cliff’s song Many Rivers To Cross in 1983, also paid tribute, saying he was “absolutely heartbroken to hear about the passing of a Reggae forefather” in a post on X.
Campbell also called Cliff “a pillar of our music, and one of the first to carry reggae out into the world”.
Image: Jimmy Cliff (L) stands with Wyclef Jean at his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2010. Pic: Reuters
A legend of music and screen
A two-time Grammy-winning artist, Cliff was awarded the Jamaican Order of Merit in 2003, the highest honour in the arts and sciences, from the Jamaican government.
Over the years, he would work with stars including the Rolling Stones, Sting, Elvis Costello, Annie Lennox, Paul Simon and Wyclef Jean.
He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.
A prolific writer, frequently expressing his humanitarian views through his work, his 1969 track Vietnam was reportedly described by Bob Dylan as “the best protest song” he had ever heard.
Cliff was also well known for cover versions of songs, including Johnny Nash’s I Can See Clearly Now, which appeared on the soundtrack of the 1993 movie Cool Runnings, and Cat Stevens’ Wild World.
He twice performed on high-profile US chat show Saturday Night Live.
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An actor and a musician, as well as singing the title track of 1972 cult classic The Harder They Come, Cliff also starred in it.
One of the first major commercial releases to come out of Jamaica, the movie is credited with bringing reggae to the world, as well as showing a grittier and more realistic side to the country.
During this time, Cliff’s fame rivalled Bob Marley as the reggae’s most prominent artist.
The storyline, which revolved around Cliff’s character, Ivan, moving to Kingston, Jamaica, to make it as a musical superstar, had parallels with his own.
Image: Cliff at the MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Awards at the London Arena in London’s Docklands in 2002. Pic: PA
‘Hurricane Hattie’
He was born James Chambers, during a hurricane, on 30 July 1944, in St James Parish, northwestern Jamaica.
In the 1950s, he moved with his father from the family farm to Kingston, determined to succeed in the music industry.
He began writing as Jamaica was gaining its independence from Britain, and as the early sounds of reggae – first called ska – were being developed.
At just 14, he became nationally famous for the song Hurricane Hattie, which he had written himself.
Cliff would go on to record over 30 albums and perform all over the world, including in Paris, in Brazil and at the World’s Fair, an international exhibition held in New York in 1964.
The following year, Island Records’ Chris Blackwell, the producer who launched Bob Marley And The Wailers, invited Cliff to work in the UK.
Image: Jimmy Cliff during the Love Supreme Jazz Festival in 2019. Pic: Shutterstock
‘I still have many rivers to cross!’
Speaking about his burning passion for life during a 2019 interview, when the star had begun losing his sight, Cliff said: “When I’ve achieved all my ambitions, then I guess that I will have done it and I can just say ‘great’.
“But I’m still hungry. I want it. I’ve still got the burning fire that burns brightly inside of me – like I just said to you. I still have many rivers to cross!”
Cliff’s last studio album, Refugees, made with Wyclef Jean, was released in 2022, and the singer said he wrote the title track “due to emotional feelings towards freedom taken away from human beings”.
A woman has been charged with fraud offences over the alleged sale of Oasis tickets.
Rosie Slater has been charged with 11 counts of fraud by false representation, Staffordshire Police said.
The 32-year-old, of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, has been granted unconditional bail and is due to appear in court at North Staffordshire Justice Centre on 11 December.
The charges relate to the alleged sale of Oasis tickets in May.
It comes as ministers confirmed plans to make it illegal for tickets to concerts, theatre, comedy, sport and other live events to be resold for more than their original cost.
Earlier this month, pop stars including Sam Fender, Dua Lipa, Coldplay and Radiohead urged the prime minister in an open letter to stand by his election promise to restrict online ticket touts.
The huge profits made by resellers were put in the spotlight last year when thousands of Oasis fans complained of ticket prices for their reunion tour, with some Wembley Stadium show tickets listed at more than £4,000.