TV Legend Judith Chalmers Dies at 90

Slow down, speak more slowly, smile more often. 

As broadcasting tips passed down from a TV veteran they appear to have served Mark Durden-Smith well across three decades of mainstream shows, and little wonder. 

Indeed, it was the presenter's late mother Judith Chalmers, known to millions as the globe-trotting host of Wish You Were Here...?, who advised her son on how to project himself to viewers as he followed her into the industry. 

Chalmers' death to was confirmed by her grieving family on Friday; aged 90, the veteran presenter passed away at the north London home she shared with her husband, former cricketer and sports commentator Neil Durden-Smith, 92. 

A mother-of-two, Chalmers' daughter Emma developed a career in psychology while Mark followed in his mother's TV footsteps, initially as a researcher for chat show Clive Anderson Talks Back. 

It was  and the decision to scrap ailing show The Big Breakfast that ultimately gave the budding presenter his break, with Mark drafted in to co-host its successor. 

Launching in 2002, RI:SE would introduce the presenter - cast alongside fellow newcomers Liz Bonnin, Colin Murray and Edith Bowman - to a broader audience, but poor viewing figures would result in the show being hastily restructured, with a new presenting team.

Australia would soon be calling, with Mark duly ! Now in 2003, a new spin-off show built around the success of ITV reality show I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!

Alongside former contestant Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, who died in 2017 after suffering a perforated ulcer and peritonitis, he would present the second and third seasons of I'm a Celebrity Extra Camp. 

He later enjoyed a full circle moment of sorts, with the presenter following his mother onto Wish You Were Here...? spin-off, Now And Then. 

The 25-part show would give Mark and co-host Sarah Heaney the opportunity to revisit overseas locations previously explored by Chalmers while presenting the original series throughout the 1970s, '80s and '90s. 

Discussing the role in 2008, Mark revealed his mother had given him a series of invaluable tips before he broke into mainstream presenting.

'The main advice she always gives me is to slow down, to speak more slowly and to smile more,' he told The Mirror. 'She gives broadcasting tips, rather than holiday tips. 

'I haven't talked about holiday tips since I saw her on The Graham Norton show and he said, "what's your top tip, only pack one pair of knickers?" And she said, "who said I pack any knickers?"

Mark has also filled in on ITV flagship This Morning, working alongside former presenter Holly Willoughby during Phillip Schofield's absence over a three year period from 2010. 

Other TV credits include hosting roles on Hell's Kitchen and the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. 

The presenter married Rachel Morse in December 2004. The couple are parents to children Archie, Freddie and Rosie. 

A keen rugby player at university, Mark's recent work includes coverage of the AVIVA rugby premiership highlights on ITV.  

A keen rugby player at university, Mark's recent work includes coverage of the AVIVA rugby premiership highlights on ITV