Judith Chalmers, the beloved presenter of the ITV travel show Wish You Were Here … ?, has died at the age of 90. Her family confirmed that she passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, surrounded by loved ones, after a brief illness. She had been living with Alzheimer's in her final years.
Chalmers presented more than 500 episodes of the popular programme between 1974 and 2003, becoming a household name for her warm style and perpetual tan. Her family described her life as “extraordinary”, spanning over six decades in broadcasting and adventures worldwide, and said she leaves behind “a giant suitcase of the happiest memories”.
Born in Cheshire in 1935, Chalmers began her career at the BBC as a child actor at age 13. She debuted on television in 1956 and went on to present programmes such as Come Dancing and BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour. Her younger sister, Sandra, later became an editor of Woman’s Hour in the 1980s.
Chalmers famously revealed in 2008 that she never wore knickers on camera while presenting Wish You Were Here … ? to avoid visible panty lines, a piece of advice given by the wardrobe mistress. She also admitted to frequently overpacking despite advising viewers to travel light.
She is survived by her husband of 60 years, former sports presenter Neil Durden-Smith, and their son Mark Durden-Smith, a television presenter known for I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here! and This Morning.
