Judith Chalmers dies aged 90 as tributes paid to presenter

Her family said in a statement on Friday (May 22) that she died peacefully at home on Thursday (May 21) evening, surrounded by her family, after living with Alzheimer’s in her final years.

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.

Born in Gatley, Cheshire, she began working for the BBC at just 13, going on to present BBC Radio programmes Family Favourites and Woman’s Hour in the 1960s.

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.

Chalmers presented the primetime show until 2003 and was appointed an OBE in 1994.

She leaves behind her husband, former sports commentator Neil Durden-Smith, and their two children.

Fans pay tribute to Judith Chalmers

Plenty of people took to social media to pay tribute to Judith after the news of her death broke.

One person, posting on X, shared: “Very sad…a pioneer of the travel programme”.

Another said: “She encapsulated the holiday and the better times of the 1980s and 1990s.

“Whenever I travel I often think of her reassuringly saying, ‘transfers included’ – which rarely happens in my case.”

The author Malcolm Prince posted: “Farewell lovely lady.

“A great broadcaster.”

Another commented: “Saddened to hear that Judith Chalmers has died.

“Loved her programme ‘Wish you were here!’ in the 1970s/80s.

“May she Rest in Peace.”

What’s your favourite memory of Judith Chalmers? Let us know in the comments.