TV host John Stapleton pays emotional tribute after death of wife and ex-Watchdog presenter Lynn Faulds Wood
HEARTBROKEN journalist John Stapleton has paid tribute to his "wonderful" wife Lynn Faulds Wood after she died from a stroke.
The ex-BBC watchdog host, 72, tragically passed away surrounded by her family yesterday.
Husband John, who presented the show alongside Lynn, today paid tribute to his loving wife in a moving statement.
He wrote: "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."
Lynn's devastated family confirmed her death yesterday, saying she suffered a "massive stroke" that caused a subsequent bleed on the brain.
The journalist was born in Glasgow but lived in south-west London, became a household name for turning the consumer rights programme Watchdog into a peak-time series on BBC.
She and her husband John went on to become a power house TV couple as they presented the show together between 1985 and 1993.
The presenter survived bowel cancer aged 40 while working for the programme and went on to call for better awareness of the illness.
She previously rejected an MBE, saying the honour was "too tainted".
The TV star also presented the investigative programme World In Action during the 1990s before going on to become a consumer champion on GMTV between 2003 and 2009.
In 2006 she worked with Dame Esther Rantzen to present BBC consumer rights programme Old Dogs, New Tricks.
Dame Esther paid tribute to her former colleague today, saying she had "known Lynn for many years".
She added: "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."
'THE REAL THING'
Leading tributes, Good Morning Britain host Ben Shepherd described her as "a wonderfully generous, incisive, energetic broadcaster", while BBC 5Live host Nicky Campbell said she was "the real thing".
BBC newsreader George Alagiah, who is currently being treated for bowel cancer and just survived coronavirus, added: "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."
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."
MOVING TRIBUTES
Ex-Watchdog host Nicky Campbell said: "I'm so sad to hear about the death of the brilliant campaigning journalist and fearless consumer champion Lynn Faulds Wood.
"She was the real thing. She cared genuinely and passionately about people and their rights.
"When I joined Watchdog hers was the legacy we all aspired to."
Journalist Sophie Raworth added: "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."
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