John Stapleton pays emotional tribute to wife Lynn Faulds Wood after death of ex-BBC presenter
Former Watchdog presenter Lynn died on Friday aged 72 after suffering a 'massive stroke'
Mancunian former TV star John Stapleton has thanked fans for their support following the death of his wife Lynn Faulds Wood.
Former Watchdog presenter Lynn died on Friday aged 72 after suffering a 'massive stroke'.
It has been reported she fell ill just moments after clapping for the NHS and frontline workers on Thursday evening.
Journalist John, from Oldham, married Lynn in 1977. The pair became a TV power couple, hosting the hit BBC consumer show together between 1985 and 1993.
Today (Saturday), John paid a moving tribute to Lynn, who hailed from Scotland and with whom he has a son called Nick. He also thanked fans for their support.
"Huge thank you to the hundreds and hundreds of people who have paid tribute to Lynn" he said on Twitter.
"A wonderful mother to Nick, a loving and hugely supportive wife to me and a campaigning journalist on so many fronts who really made a difference to the world we live in.
"We’ll miss her always."
UK lockdown 'could be relaxed' with government considering allowing small gatherings Man suffers nasty face injuries after unprovoked attack in woodland in OldhamLynn's family yesterday (Friday) confirmed her tragic death in a statement.
It read: "Having suffered a massive stroke last night and a subsequent bleed on the brain, presenter and journalist Lynn Faulds Wood passed away peacefully at 12 noon today with her husband John Stapleton and son Nick at her bedside."
Lynn began her career working on national newspapers such as the The Sun and Daily Mail before moving into TV.
As well as Watchdog she hosted investigatory programme World In Action during the 1990s and also went on to become GMTV's consumer champion.
She had previously survived after suffering with both advanced bowel and skin cancer and she became a vocal campaigner on issues facing cancer patients.
She rejected an MBE in 2016 saying "the system needs to be dragged into the 21st century."
Tributes have poured in from across the world of television and beyond.
BBC newsreader Sophie Raworth said: "I have known Lynn since I was 14. She inspired me to become a journalist.
"She has lived next door to my parents for decades.
"She has been the most wonderful, generous, kind friend to me and my family for such a long time. Can’t believe she has gone."
Fellow former presenter Dame Esther Rantzen said: "I have known Lynn for many years.
"We made a series together which was huge fun but also very hard hitting because she was such an impressive and courageous consumer journalist.
"She fought for the rights of vulnerable people doggedly and determinedly and she is a huge loss to journalism and to her friends and family. We are all devastated at this news."
Good Morning Britain star Ben Shepherd said: "Am devastated to hear that Lynn Faulds Wood has sadly died.
"She was a wonderfully generous, incisive, energetic broadcaster, journalist and campaigner.
"More than that though she was great fun and a truly lovely person. Sending love to and family."
Labour MP Dianne Abbott said: "Sad to hear Lynn Faulds Wood has died. Knew her when we both worked at TV AM. Great campaigning journalist. All my sympathy to her husband John Stapleton."