Judith Chalmers
British television presenter (1935–2026)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Judith Rosemary Locke Chalmers (10 October 1935 – 21 May 2026) was an English television presenter who was best known for presenting the travel programme Wish You Were Here...? from 1974 to 2003.
Judith Chalmers | |
|---|---|
| Born | Judith Rosemary Locke Chalmers 10 October 1935 |
| Died | 21 May 2026 (aged 90) |
| Occupation | Television presenter |
| Years active | 1948–2017 |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2, including Mark Durden-Smith |
Early life
Judith Rosemary Locke Chalmers was born in Gatley, Cheshire on 10 October 1935.[1] Her father was an architect and her mother a medical secretary.[2] She had a sister, Sandra Chalmers. Both siblings were educated at Withington Girls' School, an independent day school in Fallowfield near Withington, Manchester.[3]
Career
Chalmers began broadcasting for the BBC when she was only 13, after being selected for BBC Northern Children's Hour by producer Trevor Hill.[4] Her younger sister Sandra, who was later editor of Woman's Hour, also performed on Children's Hour.[5] Chalmers presented many programmes from Manchester, including Children's Television Club which later metamorphosed into Blue Peter based in London.[6] She spent some time at secretarial college in Manchester in the early 1950s.[7]
In the 1960s, Chalmers presented two major BBC radio programmes: Family Favourites and Woman's Hour.[8][9][10] She also appeared as the original Susan in The Clitheroe Kid, and was a foil for Ken Dodd in his radio show.[11][12] Chalmers presented ballroom dancing competition programme Come Dancing for the BBC from 1961 to 1965.[9]
During the 1970s, Chalmers regularly presented ITV's daytime magazine programme Good Afternoon and its successors, which included Afternoon Plus and A Plus.[13] She started presenting ITV's holiday programme Wish You Were Here? in 1974 and continued in this role until 2003.[10]
In the 1980s Chalmers was a regular host of the Miss World contest on ITV, also presenting the associated UK beauty pageants such as Miss United Kingdom and the British Beauty Championships.[14] Chalmers presented BBC Radio 2's mid-morning show from 1990 to 1992, taking over from Ken Bruce, who took over the show again following Chalmers's departure from the station in 1992.[9][non-primary source needed]
In 2001, Chalmers appeared on Lily Savage's Blankety Blank.[15] She took part in an episode of the BBC Two series Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, with her son Mark, in 2013.[16]
Her television appearances in later years have been limited to short spots on chat show programmes such as Good Morning Britain, Lorraine and Graham Norton's chat shows.[17][18][19] In 2017, Chalmers took part in Channel 5's Celebrity Taste of Italy.[9][non-primary source needed]
In 2022, at the age of 86, Chalmers was appointed Heathrow Express's new chief smile officer.[20]
Personal life and death
Chalmers was married to sports commentator Neil Durden-Smith from 1964 until her death.[21] The couple had two children, including television presenter Mark Durden-Smith,[22] and six grandchildren.[23]
She was appointed an OBE in 1994.[10]
Chalmers had Alzheimer's disease for several years. She died at her home on 21 May 2026, aged 90.[24]