Eamonn Holmes has shared a touching tribute to the late TV presenter John Stapleton following his funeral on Friday (October 3). The veteran broadcaster passed away peacefully in a hospital at the age of 79 on September 21, his agent revealed. The renowned broadcaster was the face of factual programming for a generation, featuring widely on several shows such as the BBC’s Watchdog and GMTV’s News Hour.

His agent, Jackie Gill, said his Parkinson’s disease was complicated by pneumonia and that his son Nick and daughter-in-law Lise had been “constantly at his side”. Weeks later, GB News presenter Eamonn attended the journalist’s funeral, where he bid a final farewell to the infamous reporter.

Sharing a picture of the presenter’s order of service, where the presenter was seen looking proud alongside his late wife, Lynn Woods, who died back in 2020 at the age of 72.

The Watchdog presenter and campaigning journalist passed away peacefully after “having suffered a massive stroke last night and a subsequent bleed on the brain.”

Eamonn revealed that the celebration of life service was in honour of both John and his wife due to the global pandemic at the time of her death. He captioned the post: “Just got back from John’s funeral service.

“It was also a celebration of Lynn’s life, who died during Covid restrictions. A loving, respectful send-off, a few tears, a lot of laughs, and a lot of friends. Admiration for their son Nick and the family dog, who was there too. Bye John – it was a heck of a life mate [prayer emoji].”

It didn’t take long before his loyal fanbase expressed their sympathies and shared their fond memories of the presenter in the comments. One user wrote: “Such a wonderful send-off. God bless you, John [prayer emoji, heart emoji].”

Another agreed: “He was a great man and presenter, as are you, Eamonn. May he rest in peace [crying emoji].” A third chimed in with: “I loved his talk show in the mornings in the 80s.”

Eamonn isn't the only familiar face to share a touching tribute for the presenter online. After the news of his death hit the headlines last month, GMB's Charlotte Hawkins shared a sweet message in his memory alongside a series of snaps of the pair together.

She wrote: "So very sad to hear John Stapleton - our 'Stapes' has died. I loved working with him on GMB, he was a legend and such a brilliant broadcaster. A genuinely lovely man, it was good to have a catch up with him when he came in a few months ago to talk about his Parkinson's diagnosis. He'll be much missed."