FORMER Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has died aged 86 following a battle with Alzheimer's. He had been living in a care home following a stroke in 2019 and passed away "peacefully" surrounded by family. 9 John Prescott served as Deputy PM from 1997 to 2007 as a member of the Labour Party Credit: North News and Pictures , Newcastle NE1 5JE 9 Prescott with his wife Pauline Credit: PA 9 Prescott with his boss Tony Blair Credit: PA 9 Prescott remains most famous for punching a protester who threw an egg at him Credit: Rex In a statement announcing his death, Lord Prescott's wife and two sons said: "We are deeply saddened to inform you that our beloved husband, father and grandfather, John Prescott, passed away peacefully yesterday at the age of 86.
" The family added: "John spent his life trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and protecting the environment. "He did so from his time as a waiter on the cruise liners to becoming Britain’s longest serving deputy prime minister. "John dearly loved his home of Hull and representing its people in Parliament for 40 years was his greatest honour.
" Prescott died peacefully yesterday "surrounded by family and the jazz music of Marian Montgomery", the family added. He served as Deputy PM from 1997 to 2007 as a member of the Labour Party. Prescott was a key New Labour power broker who often managed the tense relationship between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.
Paying tribute, Blair said: "I am devastated by Jo.