Lynn Faulds Wood dead: Watchdog presenter dies aged 72 after ‘stroke’

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’

Lynn Faulds Wood has died aged 72 after suffering from a ‘massive stroke’. 

The former Watchdog host passed away at midday 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

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 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 at the London Press Club Awards in 2019 in London, England. Born in Glasgow, she spent her childhood on Loch Lomondside before becoming a TV presenter

Lynn pictured at the London Press Club Awards in 2019 in London, England. Born in Glasgow, she spent her childhood on Loch Lomondside before becoming a TV presenter

In 2006 she 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. 

‘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.’