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The TV star presented ITV’s Wish You Were Here…? for almost 30 years, as ITV News Correspondent Neil Connery reports <\/p>\n
TV presenter Judith Chalmers, best known for hosting ITV’s travel show Wish You Were Here…?, has died aged 90.Her family said in a statement on Friday that she died peacefully at home on Thursday evening, surrounded by her family, after living with Alzheimer’s in her final years.<\/p>\n
They said her health had been declining for some time and that she had become seriously ill in recent weeks, giving the family time to be together with her.<\/p>\n
Her family told ITV News: “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. <\/p>\n
“We will miss her greatly but she leaves behind a giant suitcase of the happiest of memories.” <\/p>\n
Ms Chalmers in 2005. Credit: PA<\/p>\n
Born in Gatley, Cheshire, Chalmers began working for the BBC at just 13, when she presented the radio programme Children’s Hour, before going on to present BBC Radio programmes Family Favourites and Woman’s Hour in the 1960s.<\/p>\n
She later hosted ITV’s daytime magazine show Good Afternoon before going on to present Wish You Were Here…?, an ITV series of 30-minute shows about travel and holidays, in 1974.<\/p>\n
Chalmers also presented the BBC\u2019s Come Dancing from 1961 to 1965, and the Miss World contest on ITV in the 1980s, as well as the BBC\u2019s Children\u2019s Television Club which later became Blue Peter.<\/p>\n
Her TV appearances were reduced in her later years, however she made appearances on shows such as ITV\u2019s Good Morning Britain, The Graham Norton Show on the BBC and Channel 5\u2019s Celebrity Taste of Italy.<\/p>\n
Judith Chalmers and her husband Neil Durden-Smith in 2016. Credit: PA<\/p>\n
She was married to her husband, sports presenter Neil Durden-Smith, from 1964 until her death, having lived together in London. <\/p>\n
They had two children together, including their son Mark Durden-Smith, who confirmed that his mother had been living with Alzheimer’s. <\/p>\n
Speaking of his late mother to ITV News, he said: \u201cShe was one of the first female faces on live television doing the continuity announcing, she did Come Dancing the original series \u2013 all these things.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe interviewed Muhammed Ali, she interviewed Margaret Thatcher, Mary Berry made her debut on her programme \u2013 they became great friends.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019d go shopping and she\u2019d stop three or four times in the vegetable aisle \u2013 happy to be stopped, happy to be talked to by people, happy to hear their stories of their holidays that they might have been on that they saw on Wish You Were Here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Judith Chalmers (left) and Anneka Rice welcoming BBC travel man John Carter to the Thames TV Wish You Were\u2026 Credit: PA<\/p>\n
Chalmers presented Wish You Were Here\u2026? from 1974 to 2003, looking at various travel destinations around the world. <\/p>\n
In 2008, her son hosted a new version of the show, called Wish You Were Here\u2026? Now & Then, which saw locations from the show\u2019s original series revisited to see how they had changed.<\/p>\n
Chalmers also appeared with her son, in an episode of Celebrity Antiques Road Trip in 2013.<\/p>\n
In 1994, she was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to broadcasting.<\/p>\n
Chalmers\u2019s father was an architect and her mother was a medical secretary. She also had a sister named Sandra and another child, as well as six grandchildren.<\/p>\n
Caroline Scates, director of nursing services at Dementia UK, said: \u201cWe\u2019re sorry to hear that TV presenter Judith Chalmers has died having lived with Alzheimer\u2019s disease and send our condolences to her family. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe hope her family are receiving the support they need at this difficult time.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anyone affected by dementia can contact the charity on 0800 888 6678 or by emailing helpline@dementiauk.org. <\/p>\n