John Stapleton pays loving tribute to late wife Lynn Faulds Wood

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 30:  John Stapleton and Lynne Faulds Wood arrive at the Saatchi Gallery for its new exhibition 'From Selfie to Self-Expression' on March 30, 2017 in London, United Kingdom.  (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)
John Stapleton and Lynne Faulds Wood arrive at the Saatchi Gallery for its new exhibition 'From Selfie to Self-Expression' on March 30, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)

TV presenter and journalist John Stapleton has paid tribute to late wife Lynn Faulds Wood and thanked people for their messages of support after she died yesterday (24 April).

The 72-year-old died died after a 'massive stroke' caused a bleed on her brain, a statement from her family revealed.

Now Stapleton has taken to social media share a moving dedication to his late wife, with whom he shared a son named Nick.

Read more: Former Watchdog presenter Lynn Faulds Wood dies aged 72

The 74-year-old tweeted: "Huge thank you to the hundreds and hundreds of people who have paid tribute to Lynn.

“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.”

TV presenter Gaby Roslin responded: “John I am so so sorry. Sending you and Nick much love and my deepest sympathies.

“She was a phenomenal woman who was truly incredible and hugely inspiring. She was also such a lovely person.”

Radio presenter Shelagh Fogarty responded: “John, sending you all the love in the world.”

A statement about the former Watchdog presenter’s death, 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."

The star had previously overcome cancer twice, recovering from both advanced bowel and skin cancer.

John Stapleton, one of the presenters of the BBC's "Nationwide" programme with his bride, 29 year old journalist Lynn Faulds Wood, after their wedding at Richmond Register Office.   (Photo by PA Images via Getty Images)
John Stapleton, and Lynn Faulds Wood after their wedding at Richmond Register Office. (Photo by PA Images via Getty Images)

Following the announcement, friends and former colleagues were quick to pay tribute.

Newsreader Sophie Raworth said of her friend: "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.”

BBC newsreader George Alagiah tweeted: "So sad to hear that Lynn Faulds Wood has died. After I was diagnosed with bowel cancer she spent many a phone call giving me advice about treatment and moral support. She was kind, generous, purposeful and strong. RIP Lynn."

Dame Esther Rantzen, who worked with Faulds Wood on Old Dogs, New Tricks, said: "We made a series together which was huge fun but also very hard-hitting because she was such an impressive and courageous consumer journalist.

Read more: Friends and fans pay tribute to The Goodies star Tim Brooke-Taylor who has died aged 79

"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."

Stapleton and Faulds Wood had been married since 1977.