Television presenter Judith Chalmers, renowned for hosting the travel programme Wish You Were Here…?, has passed away at the age of 90, her family has announced.
In a statement provided to ITV News and seen by the Press Association, Chalmers’s son Mark Durden-Smith revealed that the broadcaster had been living with Alzheimer’s disease in her final years.
She died peacefully at her home on Thursday, surrounded by her family, after becoming ill in recent weeks, the statement added.
The statement read: “After living an extraordinary life that involved over 60 years in broadcasting and countless adventures all over the globe, Judy sadly passed away last night, surrounded by the family she loved so much after suffering with Alzheimer’s for some years.”
“We will miss her greatly but she leaves behind a giant suitcase of the happiest of memories.”
Early Career and Rise to Fame
Born in Cheshire, Chalmers began her career at the BBC at the tender age of 13. She went on to present radio programmes such as Woman’s Hour and Family Favourites in the 1960s, before presenting the ITV magazine show Good Afternoon.
She also hosted the BBC’s Come Dancing from 1961 to 1965, the Miss World contest on ITV in the 1980s, and the BBC’s Children’s Television Club, which later evolved into Blue Peter.
In later years, her television appearances diminished, but she made guest spots on shows such as ITV’s Good Morning Britain, the BBC’s The Graham Norton Show, and Channel 5’s Celebrity Taste of Italy.
Family and Personal Life
Chalmers was married to sports presenter Neil Durden-Smith from 1964 until her death. The couple lived together in London. Her son Mark Durden-Smith is also a television presenter, known for his work on ITV’s I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! Now!, This Morning, and rugby coverage on Prime Video, Channel 5, and ITV.
She is survived by her son Mark, another child, a sister named Sandra, and six grandchildren.
Legacy of Wish You Were Here…?
Chalmers was best known for her role on Wish You Were Here…?, which she presented from 1974 to 2003, exploring travel destinations around the globe.
In 2008, her son hosted a revival of the show titled Wish You Were Here…? Now & Then, which revisited locations from the original series to see how they had changed. Chalmers also appeared with her son in an episode of Celebrity Antiques Road Trip in 2013.
In recognition of her contributions to broadcasting, Chalmers was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1994.
