Judith Chalmers
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Judith Rosemary Locke Chalmers (10 October 1935 – 21 May 2026) was an English television and radio presenter. She began broadcasting for the BBC as a teenager and went on to present a wide range of programmes, including Family Favourites, Woman's Hour, Come Dancing and ITV's daytime magazine shows. Chalmers was best known for presenting the ITV travel series Wish You Were Here...? from 1974 to 2003. Her later work included appearances on programmes such as Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, Good Morning Britain, Lorraine and Celebrity Taste of Italy. She was appointed OBE in 1994.
Early life
Judith Rosemary Locke Chalmers was born on 10 October 1935 in Gatley, Stockport, Greater Manchester, and grew up in Cheadle.[1][2] Her father, David, was an architect, and died when Chalmers was 17.[1] Her mother, Millie (née Broadhurst), was a medical secretary.[3][4] She had a younger sister, Sandra Chalmers.[1] Both siblings were educated at Withington Girls' School, an independent day school in Fallowfield near Withington, Manchester.[5]
Career
Chalmers began broadcasting for the BBC when she was 13, after being selected for BBC Northern Children's Hour by producer Trevor Hill.[6] Her younger sister Sandra, who was later editor of Woman's Hour, also performed on Children's Hour.[7] Chalmers presented many programmes from Manchester, including Children's Television Club, which later developed into Blue Peter based in London.[8] She spent some time at secretarial college in Manchester in the early 1950s.[9]
In the 1960s, Chalmers presented two major BBC radio programmes: Family Favourites, and Woman's Hour.[10][11][12] She also appeared as the original Susan in The Clitheroe Kid, and was a foil for Ken Dodd in his radio show.[13][14] Chalmers presented ballroom dancing competition programme Come Dancing for the BBC from 1961 to 1965.[11]
During the 1970s, Chalmers regularly presented ITV's daytime magazine programme Good Afternoon, and its successors, including Afternoon Plus, and A Plus.[15] She began presenting ITV's holiday programme Wish You Were Here? in 1974 and continued in the role until 2003.[12]
In the 1980s Chalmers was a regular host of the Miss World contest on ITV,[16] and also presented associated UK beauty pageants such as Miss United Kingdom.[17] Chalmers presented BBC Radio 2's mid-morning show from 1990 to 1992, taking over from Ken Bruce, who returned to the programme following her departure in 1992.[11][18]
In 2013, Chalmers took part in an episode of the BBC Two series Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, with her son, Mark.[19] Her television appearances in later years included contributions to shows such as Good Morning Britain, and Lorraine.[20][21] Chalmers also took part in Channel 5's Celebrity Taste of Italy.[22]
In 2022, at the age of 86, Chalmers was appointed Heathrow Express's new chief smile officer, a role intended to keep travellers happy.[23]
Personal life and death
Chalmers was married to sports commentator Neil Durden-Smith from 1964 until her death.[24] The couple had two children, including television presenter Mark Durden-Smith,[25] and six grandchildren.[26]
She was appointed an OBE in 1994.[12]
Chalmers died of complications from Alzheimer's disease at her home on 21 May 2026, aged 90.[2][27]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1956–1958 | The Northern Scene | Presenter | |
| 1961–1965 | Signpost | Presenter | |
| 1960 | The Ken Dodd Show | 1 episode | |
| 1962 | Come Dancing | Compere; 1 episode | |
| 1962 | It's a Square World | 1 episode | |
| 1963–1967 | Juke Box Jury | 5 episodes | |
| 1964 | Television Club | 1 episode | |
| 1964 | Viewpoint | 1 episode | |
| 1965–1970 | Seeing and Believing | Presenter | |
| 1966–1969 | Know Your Onions | 3 episodes | |
| 1968 | Doddy for Christmas | Television film | |
| 1968 | Theatre 625 | 1 episode | |
| 1970 | Call My Bluff | 3 episodes | |
| 1970 | Not a Word | 2 episodes | |
| 1973–1981 | Good Afternoon! | Presenter | |
| 1974–2003 | Wish You Were Here...? | Presenter | |
| 1974–2001 | This Is Your Life | 7 episodes | |
| 1974 | The Top Secret Life of Edgar Briggs | 1 episode | |
| 1975–1978 | It's a Knockout | 4 episodes | |
| 1978–1979 | Celebrity Squares | 2 episodes | |
| 1979–1985 | Give Us a Clue | 3 episodes | |
| 1979–1985 | Miss World | Presenter | |
| 1980 | Night of One Hundred Stars | Television film | |
| 1981 | Family Fortunes | 1 episode | |
| 1981 | It'll Be Alright on the Night | 1 episode | |
| 1981 | The Generation Game | 1 episode | |
| 1981–1982 | The Pyramid Game | 2 episodes | |
| 1981–1983 | Punchlines | 5 episodes | |
| 1981–2002 | Blankety Blank | 5 episodes | |
| 1983 | An Audience with Kenneth Williams | Television special | |
| 1983 | Octopussy: The Royal Premiere | Television special | |
| 1985 | A View to a Kill: The Royal Premiere | Television special | |
| 1986 | Cinderella: The Shoe Must Go On | Television film | |
| 1986 | Looks Familiar | 1 episode | |
| 1986 | Duty Free | 1 episode | |
| 1987 | Des O'Connor Tonight | 1 episode | |
| 1987 | The Home Service | Presenter | |
| 1987 | Wogan | 1 episode | |
| 1988 | Through the Keyhole | 1 episode | |
| 1990 | Open Air | 1 episode | |
| 1990 | What's My Line? | 1 episode | |
| 1994 | Surprise! Surprise! | 1 episode | |
| 1993, 1995 | Noel's House Party | 1 episode | |
| 1997 | Call My Bluff | 2 episodes | |
| 1997 | Smillie's People | 1 episode | |
| 1998 | So Graham Norton | 1 episode | |
| 1998 | Rex the Runt | Judith Poodle (voice); 2 episodes | |
| 1999 | Heroes of Comedy | 1 episode | |
| 1999 | Wetty Hainthropp Investigates | Television short | |
| 2001 | Bob Martin | 1 episode | |
| 2003 | Life Beyond the Box: Margo | Television film | |
| 2003 | The All New Harry Hill Show | 1 episode | |
| 2003 | Wish You Were Here...? Today | 1 episode | |
| 2003–2008 | BBC Breakfast | 2 episodes | |
| 2004 | Back to the 70's | 1 episode | |
| 2004 | Saturday Brunch | 1 episode | |
| 2004 | The Best of 'So Graham Norton'' | Guest | |
| 2004–2005 | This Morning | 4 episodes | |
| 2005 | Castle in the Country | Reporter | |
| 2005–2006 | The Paul O'Grady Show | Guest / Guest presenter; 2 episodes | |
| 2006 | Another Audience with Shirley Bassey | Television special | |
| 2007 | Children's TV on Trial | 1 episode | |
| 2007 | Points West | 1 episode | |
| 2007 | That's What I Call Television | 1 episode | |
| 2007 | The Strictly Come Dancing Story | Television film | |
| 2008 | An Audience with Neil Diamond | Television special | |
| 2008 | Comedy Classics | 1 episode | |
| 2008–2009 | Loose Women | 2 episodes | |
| 2009 | All Star Family Fortunes | 1 episode | |
| 2010 | 30 Years of 'An Audience With...'' | 1 episode | |
| 2010 | All Star Mr & Mrs | 1 episode | |
| 2013 | Celebrity Antiques Road Trip | 1 episode | |
| 2016 | Being Mavis Nicholson: TV's Greatest Interviewer | Television film | |
| 2016 | Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie | Film role | |
| 2017 | A Celebrity Taste of Italy | 4 episodes | |
| 2017 | Harry Hill's Alien Fun Capsule | 1 episode | |
| 2018 | Ooh You Are Awful: TV We Used to Love | Television film | |
| 2018 | Top of the Box | 1 episode | |
| Sources:[28][29][30] | |||
References
Page Template:Reflist/styles.css has no content.
- ^ a b c Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.O'Hagan, Simon (22 May 2026). "Judith Chalmers obituary". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
- ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Judith Chalmers obituary: presenter of holiday show Wish You Were Here". The Times. 22 May 2026. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
- ^ Sandra Chalmers Obituary in The Times p 56, 27 February 2015
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Sandra Chalmers obituary". the Guardian. 9 February 2015. Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."In Memoriam: Sandra Locke Chalmers [Class of 1958]". Withington Girls' School. 11 February 2015. Archived from the original on 16 December 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Speaking to you at Home". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 16 December 2021.[dead link]
- ^ Sue McGregor "Sandra Chalmers obituary" Script error: No such module "webarchive"., The Guardian, 9 February 2015
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Speaking to you at Home". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 17 December 2021.[dead link]
- ^ Miss Judith Chalmers, OBE Script error: No such module "webarchive"., Debretts.com. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Family Favourites 1 August 1945". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 16 December 2021.[dead link]
- ^ a b c Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Judith Chalmers OBE: Travel Broadcaster". Gordon Poole Agency Ltd. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
- ^ a b c Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.O'Connor, Roisin (22 May 2026). "Judith Chalmers death: Wish You Were Here host dies aged 90". The Independent. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Clitheroe Kid". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 16 December 2021.[dead link]
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."BBC Radio 4 Extra - The Ken Dodd Show, From 20/10/1963". BBC. Archived from the original on 16 December 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Good Afternoon - Mary Berry Simnel Cake, archived from the original on 16 December 2021, retrieved 16 December 2021
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."TV presenter Judith Chalmers, who hosted Wish You Were Here, has died". news.sky.com. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Judith Chalmers, legendary travel presenter noted for her long-running stint on Wish You Were Here…?". telegraph.co.uk. 22 May 2026. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Bushby, Helen; Youngs, Ian (22 May 2026). "TV presenter Judith Chalmers dies aged 90". BBC News. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
- ^ "TV presenter Judith Chalmers battles under the hammer at Stroud Auction Rooms" Script error: No such module "webarchive"., Stroud News & Journal, 15 July 2013. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Good Morning Britain (18 September 2015). "Judith Chalmers on Benidorm". YouTube. Archived from the original on 16 December 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Judith Chalmers on the Joys of Travel | Lorraine". YouTube. 5 January 2018. Archived from the original on 16 December 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Welsh, Daniel (22 May 2026). "Judith Chalmers, Broadcasting Legend And Wish You Were Here? Host, Dies Aged 90". HuffPost UK. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Holland, Kaye (8 August 2022). "Stars on board: TV icon Judith Chalmers talks travel". World of Cruising. Archived from the original on 8 April 2025. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."ATV Icon: Judith Chalmers". ATV Today. 26 July 2025. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Mark Durden-Smith". www.speakerscorner.co.uk. Archived from the original on 16 December 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Lam, Sophie (18 September 2009). "My Life In Travel: Judith Chalmers". The Independent. Archived from the original on 16 December 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Judith Chalmers, host of ITV's Wish You Were Here...? has died aged 90". ITV. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Judith Chalmers". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Judith Chalmers Movies & TV Shows List". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Judith Chalmers". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
External links
- Judith Chalmers at IMDbTemplate:Edit at Wikidata
- Judith Chalmers discography at Discogs
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