Judith Chalmers, the beloved presenter of family-friendly shows such as Come Dancing and Wish You Were Here, has died at the age of 90. The veteran TV star, who was a small-screen staple for decades, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday evening surrounded by her loved ones, her family announced on Friday.
In 2008, Chalmers made a cheeky revelation that sparked widespread chatter. During an appearance on Loose Women, she disclosed that for the entire 29-year run of Wish You Were Here, she had not worn any underwear. The confession came after chat show host Graham Norton asked her how many pairs of knickers she took on holiday.
Chalmers explained that a wardrobe assistant had advised her to avoid visible panty lines (VPL) on television. “So I’m sorry to reveal that after 30 years of Wish You Were Here, I was pantless all the time,” she quipped. The revelation even inspired a column in The Guardian, with Tanya Gold writing: “I never thought I would write this sentence, but Judith Chalmers' pants, or lack of them, have changed my life.”
At its peak, Wish You Were Here drew 18 million viewers per episode, making it one of the most popular shows on television. In a 2019 interview with The Independent, Chalmers credited the programme with allowing her to see “so much of the world and discover how different it is”. She added: “I love sitting in cafes, watching people go by.”
Chalmers had been living with Alzheimer's in her final years. Her family said her health had been declining for some time and that she became seriously ill in recent weeks, giving them time to be together with her.
