Judith Chalmers, who hosted the travel show Wish You Were Here…?, has died aged 90 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
The broadcaster passed away peacefully at home on Thursday evening, her family said today.
Famed for her smile, tan and appearances in the world’s most exotic locations for Wish You Were Here…?, Judith presented the ITV show for almost 30 years, from 1974 to 2003.
She is survived by her husband, former sports commentator Neil Durden-Smith, and their two children and six grandchildren.
Their son, Mark Durden-Smith, followed his parents into broadcasting, presenting rugby coverage for ITV and Sky Sports, as well as appearing on This Morning, I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! and even a Wish You Were Here…? spin-off. Her daughter, Emma, is a public relations expert.
Judith’s family announced her death on Friday. She became seriously ill this spring and her loved ones spent time with her in recent weeks, though she had been battling Alzheimer’s for several years.
‘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 after suffering from Alzheimer’s for some years,’ they said in a statement.
‘We will miss her greatly, but she leaves behind a giant suitcase of the happiest memories.’
ITV presenter Judith Chalmers, pictured in 2016, has died at the age of 90 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s
Judith (pictured in a yacht in 1987) presented Wish You Were Here…? for 30 years until it ended in 2003
Ms Chalmers is survived by her husband Neil Durden-Smith and their two children. The couple married in 1964
Judith and her son Mark Durden-Smith in 1996. He also went into TV
Her daughter Emma Durden-Smith became a PR exec
TV presenter Judith, pictured with her great friend Mary Berry at Chelsea in 2013, passed away yesterday
Judy, Sir Cliff Richard and Glora Hunniford in 2012
Apart from perhaps Alan Whicker and Michael Palin, nobody else on British television is more associated with travel broadcasting.
In her career Judith brought hundreds of international destinations into the homes of millions of ITV viewers in the show’s primetime slot of 7pm on a Monday. Chalmers was awarded an OBE in 1994 for her services to broadcasting.
Five years after she left the show, in 2008, her son Mark hosted a new version of the show, called Wish You Were Here…? Now & Then, which saw him heading to locations his mother visited in the show’s original series revisited to see how they had changed.
Chalmers also appeared with her son in an episode of Celebrity Antiques Road Trip in 2013.
Judy, as she was known to family and friends, was one of the most recognisable faces on British television for decades.
The Cheshire-born presenter began broadcasting with the BBC at just 13. Chalmers’s father was an architect and her mother was a medical secretary.
Explaining what happened she said: ‘There was a girl at school taking part in these children’s plays and all day I dreamt, “If only I was that girl on the radio”.
‘My mother said, “Well, if you’re interested in that sort of thing, why don’t you write for an audition”.’
The rest is history.
She went on to present radio programmes including Woman’s Hour and Family Favourites in the 1960s.
She moved to ITV in the 1970s, fronting the daytime magazine show Good Afternoon.
Her defining role came in 1974, when she became the lead presenter of ITV’s travel programme Wish You Were Here…?, which she hosted until 2003.
At her peak, she brought some of the world’s most exotic and historic destinations to primetime audiences.
Later in life she said her best advice was to limit luggage.
‘I put things on the spare bed and think “Do I need that?” but I still take far too much,’ she said in 2019.
‘I’m ashamed whenever I see my heavy case coming off the carousel at the airport and I think, “Oh Lord, is this really all necessary?”.’
Alongside Wish You Were Here…?, she hosted major events including the Miss World contest in the 1980s.
Judy smiles in front of Concorde on one of her travel adventures
Ms Chalmers at the Great Wall of China in 1996
Judith clings to a biplane for another adventure on the ITV show
Judy and Mary on ‘Cookery at Home’ in 1976
Judith Chalmers and her husband, sports commentator Neil Durden-Smith, with their baby Emma at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London, 11th March 1967.
She later returned to radio, presenting the BBC Radio 2 mid-morning show in the early 1990s.
In later years, she made guest appearances on programmes including Good Morning Britain, Lorraine and Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, and was also a regular on shows such as Loose Women and This Morning.
Her trademark smile remained and at the age of 86 she was appointed Heathrow Express’s chief smile officer.
Her health had been declining for some time, with the veteran broadcaster becoming seriously ill in recent weeks.
She died on Thursday night at home in North London. The family also had a holiday home in Portugal.
She loved pruning the roses at her mansion in Highgate – declaring that beyond travel, gardening was her great passion.
Although, she admitted that her other joy was sitting down and watching TV soap operas.
Speaking in response to Chalmers’ death, Caroline Scates, director of nursing dervices at Dementia UK, said: “We’re sorry to hear that TV presenter Judith Chalmers has died having lived with Alzheimer’s disease and send our condolences to her family. We hope her family are receiving the support they need at this difficult time.
“We urge families affected by dementia to reach out to our specialist helpline. Staffed by dementia specialist Admiral Nurses, our helpline offers support and guidance on all stages of dementia, including grieving for a loved one’.
- Anyone affected by dementia can contact the helpline by calling 0800 888 6678 or emailing helpline@dementiauk.org
