Wish You Were Here...? legend Judith Chalmers dead at 90
Wish You Were Here...? host Judith Chalmers died surrounded by her family at home on Thursday evening (21.05.26) at the age of 90.
Judith Chalmers has died at the age of 90.
The legendary Wish You Were Here...? host died peacefully, surrounded by her family at home on Thursday evening (21.05.26) after she became seriously ill over the last few weeks, as well as a battle with Alzheimer’s.
On Friday (22.05.26), they told ITV: “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."
Judith is survived by her husband, ex-sports commentator Neil Durden-Smith, 92, their children, TV presenter Mark Durden-Smith, 57, and Emma Durden-Smith, and six grandchildren.
The esteemed TV host's fans flooded X with tributes, as model Lizzie Cundy, 58, penned: "I’m so very sad to hear Judith Chalmers has sadly passed away.
"An incredible presenter who inspired so many travel shows …Whenever I met her, she was so kind and helpful to me in my career. What a truly beautiful woman inside and out. #RIP #judithChalmers (sic)."
Strictly Come Dancing 2011 contestant Russell Grant, 75, typed: "I'm deeply saddened at the loss of dear Judith Chalmers. I worked with her a number of times - she lived up to her name; charming, cheery and made TV making so easy.
"There will never EVER be a travel show like Wish You Were Here. Sometimes, current travel programmes are too much about the presenter and not enough about the place - Judith was the doyen of them all.
"Wish you great peace, dear lady."
And a third follower wrote: "Such sad news to hear of the passing of Judith Chalmers. The lady who took us to all the places we wanted to visit.
"It would be lovely to see some old ‘Wish You Were Here’ in memory of her. #JudithChalmers #RipJudithChalmers (sic)."
Born in Stockport in October 1935, Judith joined the BBC at the age of 13.
She worked on radio shows, Family Favourites and Woman's Hour, throughout the 1960s before she began her illustrious TV career, such as the BBC's Come Dancing and ITV's daytime magazine show Good Afternoon.
Her most famous role came in 1974, with Wish You Were Here...?.
The 30-minute ITV show saw the travel icon jet off to holiday destinations to show viewers what they were like.
Judith was at its helm until its cancellation in 2003.
In 1994, she was appointed an OBE by the late Queen Elizabeth - who died in September 2022 at the age of 96 - for services to broadcasting.
