John Stapleton, 78, opens up about Parkinson's diagnosis on BBC Morning Live

Veteran broadcaster John Stapleton, known for his work on Newsnight, Good Morning Britain, and Panorama, has revealed his battle with Parkinson's disease. The 78 year old was diagnosed with the neurological condition just two months ago, following observations from his son, Nick Stapleton, who noticed worrying signs.

On BBC Morning Live, Nick shared: "He's a talented journalist, known for being sharp-minded and engaged. But over the last year, I started to notice that dad was seeming a bit more anxious, he wasn't walking so confidently and he had this tremor in his hand."

"So, two months ago, he went for some tests and unfortunately, a few days later, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's. It was deeply troubling news."

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Parkinson's disease is characterized by progressive damage to parts of the brain over many years, leading to symptoms such as involuntary shaking, memory problems, balance issues, and speech difficulties. John has found the impact on his speech particularly challenging, often having to repeat himself during conversations.

He joined the conversation, saying: "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'm fairly pragmatic about the prospect of this getting worse I try to remain positive because what's the point of not being?"

While the diagnosis has been a blow for both John and his family, Nick also revealed that it wasn't entirely unexpected. John's mother, who is also Nick's grandmother, suffered from Parkinson's in the years leading up to her death, reports Lancs Live.

The Oldham-born John shared: "I witnessed my mother's decline from this lively, brilliant, outgoing lady, to a lady who was fairly fragile. One of the practical problems she faced initially was an inability to do things like open a can of beans or peel a potato. And believe it or not, I'm having the same problems to some extent myself right now."

He added: "In the end, you know, she was sort of locked in her own house. So yeah, her lifestyle changed dramatically and I suppose mine will too."

Now, 20 years later, Nick feels as though their family is witnessing history repeat itself, as he grapples with the idea that his father's Parkinson's may worsen over time. When discussing this, John made it clear that he wants to maintain his independence for as long as possible but would 'reluctantly' consider care if the situation deteriorated.

Before that point, he would also contemplate using technology to assist with more practical aspects of life, such as a stair lift. John concluded: "I think Nick's approach was extremely helpful because he's not trying to push me into anything, we don't have to rush this, we do need to think about it. Let's face it, that's the reality, my Parkinson's is not going to go away."

If you're worried that you or someone close to you may have Parkinson's disease, the NHS advises consulting with a GP. The GP may then refer you to a specialist for additional tests.

Although it usually impacts individuals over 50, some people may start showing symptoms before they reach 40. Below is a comprehensive list of symptoms provided by the NHS:

Balance issues Loss of smell Nerve pain Urinary issues and/or constipation Erectile difficulties among men Sexual arousal and orgasm difficulties Dizziness and fainting Excessive sweating Swallowing problems Excessive saliva production Sleeping issues Anxiety and depression Memory difficulties Dementia symptoms