Judith Chalmers, the beloved television presenter who became known as the undisputed Queen of Travel for millions of British holidaymakers, has died at the age of 90 after battling Alzheimer's disease, her family announced today.
A Life of Adventure and Glamour
At the height of her fame, Chalmers was the main presenter on ITV's Wish You Were Here, a show that first aired in 1974 and attracted up to 19 million viewers at its peak. With her bubbly personality, colourful 1980s fashion, and deep year-round tan, she offered a glamorous escape from everyday life, jetting around the world—often on Concorde—to bring sun-drenched destinations into British living rooms.
Before the era of social media and cheap global travel, Chalmers provided inspiration and practical information through her bite-sized reports. Her influence on how UK tourists took their holidays was profound, introducing them to destinations they had never heard of, from Australia and the Sahara desert to Malaysia and Mediterranean package holiday spots.
Early Career and Come Dancing
Born in Cheshire, Chalmers began her career on BBC radio and even presented the earliest incarnation of Strictly Come Dancing, known simply as Come Dancing, in the early 1960s. However, it was Wish You Were Here that cemented her status as the country's most famous holiday presenter for nearly two decades, offering an easily digestible alternative to more serious travel documentaries.
She earned the affectionate nickname 'Miss Five-Star' thanks to her love of luxury hotels and the high life. Alongside her husband, former sports journalist Neil Durden-Smith, she navigated the globe in style, embodying aspirational television.
Behind the Scenes: The No-Underwear Revelation
In 2012, nine years after her career on Wish You Were Here ended, Chalmers made a surprising admission. During an appearance on The Graham Norton Show, she revealed that she never wore underwear while presenting the show. The wardrobe mistress had advised her to avoid a visible panty line (VPL), so she went 'commando' for 30 years of filming. 'I'm sorry to reveal that after 30 years of Wish You Were Here, I was pantless all the time!' she said.
Later Years and Legacy
After the show ended, Chalmers remained a popular figure in the travel world, frequently filing holiday reports for newspapers. In 2019, she fronted a campaign with Travel Republic, comically exploring modern holiday trends in a parody video titled 'Woke You Were Here…?' She also returned to radio, presenting the BBC Radio 2 mid-morning show in the early 1990s, and made guest appearances on programmes such as Good Morning Britain, Lorraine, and Celebrity Antiques Road Trip.
At the age of 86, she was appointed Heathrow Express's chief smile officer. Her health declined in recent years due to Alzheimer's, and she became seriously ill this spring. She died on Thursday night at her home in North London, surrounded by her family.
Her family released a statement: 'After living an extraordinary life that involved over 60 years in broadcasting and countless adventures across the globe, Judy sadly passed away last night, surrounded by the family she loved so much. We will miss her greatly, but she leaves behind a giant suitcase of the happiest memories.'
Chalmers is survived by her husband Neil, two children, and a legacy of inspiring millions to explore the world.
