Watchdog presenter Lynn Faulds Wood dies aged 72 after ‘stroke’
- Former Watchdog host passed away at midday after suffering a ‘massive stroke’
- Her family confirmed she passed away with her husband and son at her bedside
- Born in Glasgow, she grew up on Loch Lomondside before becoming a journalist
- Lynn’s colleague, Dame Esther Rantzen, said: ‘We are all devastated by this news’
Former BBC Watchdog presenter Lynn Faulds Wood has died aged 72 after suffering from a ‘massive stroke’.
The star passed away at midday today with her husband John Stapleton and son, Nick, by her bedside.
The cancer campaigner’s family confirmed the tragic news in a statement.
Lynn Faulds Wood, pictured, has died aged 72 after suffering from a ‘massive stroke’. In a statement, it was confirmed she passed away with her husband and son at her bedside
Lynn with her husband John Stapleton and their son Nicholas. The former TV host presented Watchdog alongside her husband from 1985 to 1993
They said: ‘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.’
Born in Glasgow, Lynn spent her childhood on Loch Lomondside before becoming a journalist and TV presenter.
She presented Watchdog alongside her husband from 1985 to 1993, according to her website.
Lynn survived bowel cancer while working for the programme and went on to call for better awareness of the illness.
She 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.
Lynn pictured with her husband Stapleton during a book launch in June 2011. Her family said she passed away after suffering a ‘massive stroke’ and subsequent bleed on the brain
Lynn pictured on the set of the TV show ‘Watchdog’ in 1985. She survived bowel cancer while working for the programme and went on to call for better awareness of the illness
TV series Watchdog, which was renowned for holding businesses to account, first began as a strand of current affairs show Nationwide in the 1980s.
The show has since gone on to complete more than 1,000 episodes across 41 series, which were hosted by 23 different presenters.
In February, it was axed by the BBC as a stand-alone show after 40 years and continued as a segment on The One Show.
Lynn once revealed she asked BBC bosses not to axe it, back in 1986.
She said: ‘I persuaded BBC1 controller Michael Grade to keep it. Perhaps somebody will persuade the BBC now.’
In 2006 Lynn worked with Dame Esther Rantzen to present BBC consumer rights programme Old Dogs, New Tricks.
Dame Rantzen paid tribute to her colleague, saying: ‘I have known Lynn for many years.
Lynn pictured meeting and speaking with Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, during a reception for Women in Journalism at The Ned Women in London back in February 2018
Lynn and Dame Esther Rantzen presenting the BBC consumer advice show Old Dogs, New Tricks. Dame Rantzen paid tribute to her colleague, saying: ‘We are all devastated by this news’
‘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.’
BBC 5 Live presenter and former Watchdog host Nicky Campbell also paid tribute to Faulds Wood.
He 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.’