Judith Chalmers

Judith Rosemary Locke Chalmers (10 October 1935 – 21 May 2026) was a British 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. Her father, David, was an architect, and died when Chalmers was 17. She had a younger sister, Sandra Chalmers.

Career Chalmers began broadcasting for the BBC when she was 13, after being selected for BBC Northern Children's Hour by producer Trevor Hill. Her younger sister Sandra, who was later editor of Woman's Hour, also performed on Children's Hour. Chalmers presented many programmes from Manchester, including Children's Television Club, which later developed into Blue Peter based in London. She spent some time at secretarial college in Manchester in the early 1950s.

In the 1960s, Chalmers presented two major BBC radio programmes: Family Favourites, and Woman's Hour. She also appeared as the original Susan in The Clitheroe Kid, and was a foil for Ken Dodd in his radio show. Chalmers presented ballroom dancing competition programme Come Dancing for the BBC from 1961 to 1965. She began presenting ITV's holiday programme Wish You Were Here? in 1974 and continued in the role until 2003. and also presented associated UK beauty pageants such as Miss United Kingdom. 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.

In 2013, Chalmers took part in an episode of the BBC Two series Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, with her son, Mark. Her television appearances in later years included contributions to shows such as Good Morning Britain, and Lorraine. Chalmers also took part in Channel 5's Celebrity Taste of Italy.

In 2022, at the age of 86, Chalmers was appointed Heathrow Express's new chief smile officer, a role intended to keep travellers happy.

Personal life and death Chalmers was married to sports commentator Neil Durden-Smith from 1964 until her death. The couple had two children, including television presenter Mark Durden-Smith, and six grandchildren.

She was appointed an OBE in 1994.

Filmography + As herself 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