Television presenter Judith Chalmers, who hosted the travel show Wish You Were Here…?, has died aged 90, her family has said.
In a statement, Chalmers’s son Mark Durden-Smith said the broadcaster had been living with Alzheimer’s in her final years.
She died peacefully at home on Thursday surrounded by her family after she had become ill in recent weeks, the statement added.
The statement read: “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.”
The Cheshire-born presenter began her career at the BBC aged just 13, where she went on to present radio programmes such as Woman’s Hour and Family Favourites in the 1960s, before going on to present ITV magazine show Good Afternoon.
She also presented the BBC’s Come Dancing from 1961 to 1965, and the Miss World contest on ITV in the 1980s, as well as the BBC’s Children’s Television Club which later became Blue Peter.
Her TV appearances were reduced in her later years, however she made appearances on shows such as ITV’s Good Morning Britain, the BBC’s The Graham Norton Show and Channel 5’s Celebrity Taste of Italy.
Mark Durden-Smith, her son with her husband, sports presenter Neil Durden-Smith, is also a TV presenter, having worked on shows such as ITV’s I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! Now!, This Morning, and rugby coverage on Prime Video, Channel 5 and ITV.
She was married to her husband from 1964 until her death, and the couple lived together in London.
Chalmers was best known for her role on Wish You Were Here…?, which she presented from 1974 to 2003, looking at various travel destinations around the world.
In 2008, her son hosted a new version of the show, called Wish You Were Here…? Now & Then, which saw locations from the show’s original series revisited to see how they had changed.
Chalmers also appeared with her son in an episode of Celebrity Antiques Road Trip in 2013.
In 1994, Chalmers was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to broadcasting.
Chalmers’s father was an architect and her mother was a medical secretary.
She also had a sister named Sandra and another child, as well as six grandchildren.
Speaking in response to Chalmers’ death, Caroline Scates, director of nursing dervices at Dementia UK, said: “We’re sorry to hear that TV presenter Judith Chalmers has died having lived with Alzheimer’s disease and send our condolences to her family. We hope her family are receiving the support they need at this difficult time.
“We urge families affected by dementia to reach out to our specialist helpline. Staffed by dementia specialist Admiral Nurses, our helpline offers support and guidance on all stages of dementia, including grieving for a loved one.
“Anyone affected by dementia can contact the helpline by calling 0800 888 6678 or emailing helpline@dementiauk.org.”