Judith Chalmers’ enviable life of luxury travel and how late Wish You Were Here host earned the nickname ‘Miss Five-Star’ – and ditched underwear ‘because it looked better on camera’
For millions of British holidaymakers, Judith Chalmers was the undisputed Queen of Travel at the height of her TV fame as the main presenter of Wish You Were Here.
The bubbly presenter, known for her colorful fashions in the ’80s and flying around the world on Concorde for the country’s most-watched holiday show, died of Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 90, her family announced today.
Chalmers had an untold impact on how UK tourists spent their holidays, offering his views on truly exotic and more affordable destinations around the world in his 30-minute ITV show, which first hit screens in 1974.
In a world where social media and cheap global travel didn’t exist, Chalmers offered inspiration and a wealth of information through short reports from the often sun-drenched destinations he visited.
With her blonde highlighted hair, year-round deep tan and penchant for colorful outfits, the TV presenter, who is survived by her former sports journalist husband Neil Durden-Smith, offered a brilliant television escape from the monotony of everyday life.
The weekly program, with its earworm-themed tune, attracted 19 million viewers at its peak.
For 30 minutes each week, then limited to four channels and without social media, British TV viewers could escape into the world of travel. Photo of Judith Chalmers, who died at the age of 90, taken at Victoria Falls on the Zambia-Zimbabwe border
Long before the advent of low-cost airlines, the glamorous travel presenter, known for her deep tan, blonde complexion and color TV fashion, introduced British families to many destinations they had never heard of before.
His career began on BBC radio shows and the Cheshire-born star even presented the earliest version of Strictly Come Dancing (known simply as Come Dancing) in the early 1960s.
But Wish You Were Here cemented Chalmers as the country’s most famous holiday presenter for three decades, offering an easily digestible alternative to the more serious travel documentaries of the period.
The presenter has earned the affectionate nickname ‘Five Star Lady’ thanks to her love of luxury living, with Chalmers and husband Neil traveling the world in style on behalf of inspirational television.
In 2012, nine years after his career on Wish You Were Here ended, he made a confession that shocked many adoring viewers.
Queen of Travel: Survived by husband Neil Durden-Smith and their two children, Chalmers has earned the nickname Five Star Lady thanks to her love of luxury hotels.
The presenter was photographed with Concorde at London’s Heathrow airport; Destinations Chalmers visited included Australia, the Sahara Desert, Malaysia and many package holiday destinations in the Mediterranean.
Explaining how a frequent traveler packs a suitcase, the broadcaster dropped the bombshell that he once wore underwear while presenting the show that made him famous.
The 72-year-old star then revealed that she would look better if her holiday wardrobe for the show went ‘commando’ and thus avoided the VPL (visible panty line) that can ruin a flimsy outfit.
Graham Norton valued Chalmers’ information by asking how many pairs of knickers he had bought on holiday.
The BBC chat show host asked him: ‘‘Do you buy one pair and wash them, buy two pairs and wash them, or one pair for each day of the week?’
She revealed she replied: ‘I’m not buying them’ and added: ‘The wardrobe guy told me I shouldn’t have a VPL visible panty line.
‘So after 30 years of Wish You Were Here, I’m sorry to announce that I’ve always been pantsless!’
When the credits for his beloved travel show last appeared, Chalmers remained a popular face in the travel world, frequently reporting on his holidays to this newspaper.
The star revealed in 2012 that she never wore knickers while on screen in Wish You Were Here, after receiving sartorial advice that VPL could lead to a visible panty line.
In 2019, Judith spoke with Travel Republic about a traditional British holidaymaker’s ‘Did You Woke Up Here…?’ He spearheaded a campaign titled, which hilariously explores what can happen when you experience the latest holiday trends.
In the parody video, Judith experienced everything from the faux pas of ordering a suggestive cocktail to the ‘gonging’ wellness trend during ‘Wokecation’.
He said: ‘When I started in the 1970s, package holidays were still a new innovation. The menus were meaty, the postcards saucy, and the only form of mindfulness was sitting poolside with a tall glass of sangria. ‘For most people this is still the perfect holiday.’
Judith’s family announced her death on Friday. He became seriously ill this spring, and loved ones spent time with him in recent weeks, even though he had been battling Alzheimer’s disease for several years.
“After living an extraordinary life that included more than 60 years of broadcasting and countless adventures around the world, Judy sadly passed away last night, surrounded by her beloved family, after suffering from Alzheimer’s disease for several years,” the statement said.
‘We will miss him so much, but he leaves behind a giant bag of the happiest memories.’
Pictured in the Swan River in Perth, Western Australia; Chalmers became a household name on Wish you are Here’s Peak, with nearly 19 million viewers tuning in
Chalmers with her husband Neil Durden-Smith. Right: Presenter with son Mark, who took over the role of Wish you are Here for 25 episodes in 2007
He later returned to radio and presented BBC Radio 2’s mid-morning program in the early 1990s.
In later years he made guest appearances on programs such as Good Morning Britain, Lorraine and Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, as well as becoming a regular on programs such as Loose Women and This Morning.
His distinctive smile endured, and at the age of 86 he was appointed chief smiler for Heathrow Express.
The veteran broadcaster’s health had been deteriorating for some time, with him falling seriously ill in recent weeks.
He died at his home in North London on Thursday night. The family also had a holiday home in Portugal.
He loved pruning the roses on his Highgate estate and said gardening was his greatest passion, beyond travelling.
However, he admitted that his other pastime was sitting around and watching soap operas on television.
