Few people know that, before he became a TV star, John played centre forward for his beloved Manchester City FC.

Here is a rare photograph of John from 1952, the year he captained a team including Don Revie and the legendary Bert Trautmann.

Back row: Roy Paul, Jack Rigby, Bert Trautmann, Ken Branagan, Frank McCourt, Johnny Hannaway.

Front row: Jimmy Meadows, Don Revie, Denis Westcott, John Stapleton, Roy Clarke.

It's clear to see that, even back then, John had the dashing good looks that today make him the housewives' choice.

Not content with being just another daytime TV presenter, John also has his name in print. Mind you, it is the TV Times guide to Who's Who on TV, 1993:

STAPLETON, John

John Stapleton. Presenter. b. Oldham, Lancashire, 24 February 1946. Began his career as a journalist on the Oldham Evening Chronicle and later worked for the now-defunct Daily Sketch in Fleet Street. Joined Thames Television in 1970 to work on This is Your Life and moved on to present the regional magazine programme Today, before switching to the BBC.

TV: Today (regional news magazine, Thames Television, 1971-5); Nationwide (1975-80); Medical Express; Miss United Kingdom; iss England; Time to Talk (chat show, BBC North West); This Week Special: The Confait Case; Panorama (1980-81); Newsnight; Budget programmes (co-presenter, BBC); Good Morning Britain (TV-am); Credo; Nightline (Sky News); Watchdog; Watchdog Special; The Time The Place.

Address: c/o Arlington Enterprises. m. presenter Lynn Faulds Wood; 1 s. Nicholas. Hobbies: Cricket, swimming, watching Manchester City FC.

Just for the record, John is sandwiched between STANDING, John (never heard of him) and Starke, Michael (Sinbad in Brookie).