Judith Chalmers, who hosted the travel show Wish You Were Here…?, has died aged 90 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s .
The broadcaster passed away peacefully at home on Thursday evening, her family said today.
She is survived her husband, former sports commentator Neil Durden-Smith, and their two children as well as six grandchildren.
Her son Mark Durden-Smith followed her into broadcasting.
Famed for her tan and popping up in the most exotic spots in the world for Wish You Were Here, Judith presented the ITV show for almost 30 years, from 1974 to 2003.
Her family announced her death on Friday. She became seriously ill and her loved-ones spent time with her in recent weeks – but she had been battling Alzheimer’s ‘for some time’.
‘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’, they said in a statement.
‘We will miss her greatly but she leaves behind a giant suitcase of the happiest of 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
TV presenter Judith, pictured with her great friend Mary Berry at Chelsea in 2013, passed away yesterday
Judy, as her family and friends called her, was one of the most famous faces on British TV for more than four decades.
In her later years she was a regular on programmes including Good Morning Britain and Loose Women.
And her famous grin meant that even at the age of 86, Ms Chalmers was appointed Heathrow Express’s new chief smile officer.
She became a household name when she presented ballroom dancing competition programme Come Dancing for the BBC from 1961 to 1965 before moving to ITV in the early 1970s.
Ms Chalmers’ health was said to be declining for some time – with the legendary British broadcaster becoming seriously ill in recent weeks.
Chalmers was handed an OBE in 1994.
Judy smiles in front of Concorde on one of her travel adventures
Ms Chalmers at the Great Wall of China in 1996
Judith and her son Mark Durden-Smith in 1996. He also went into TV
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.
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