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 Alzheimer’s disease 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 Channel 4 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.
TV presenter Mark Durden-Smith with his late mother Judith Chalmers in 1996. Chalmers’ death was confirmed by her family on Friday morning
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 cast as co-presenter of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! 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.
In one of his earlier jobs, Mark featured alongside the late Tara Palmer-Tomkinson as host of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Now in 2003
He would also fill in on ITV flagship This Morning, working alongside former presenter Holly Willoughby during Phillip Schofield’s absence over a three year period from 2010
Mark is pictured appearing on ITV1 breakfast show Good Morning Britain in 2010
Read More
BREAKING NEWS Judith Chalmers dies aged 90: Star of ITV’s Wish You Were Here battled Alzheimer’s in final years
Chalmers’ family announced her death on Friday. She became seriously ill this spring and her loved ones spent time with her in recent weeks, though she had been battling Alzheimer’s for several years.
‘After living an extraordinary life that involved over 60 years in broadcasting and countless adventures across the globe, Judy sadly passed away last night, surrounded by the family she loved so much after suffering from Alzheimer’s for some years,’ they said in a statement.
‘We will miss her greatly, but she leaves behind a giant suitcase of the happiest memories.’
Apart from perhaps Alan Whicker and Michael Palin, nobody else on British television is more associated with travel broadcasting.
Chalmers brought hundreds of international destinations into the homes of millions of ITV viewers in the show’s primetime slot of 7pm on a Monday. Chalmers was awarded an OBE in 1994 for her services to broadcasting.
A keen rugby player at university, Mark’s recent work includes coverage of the AVIVA rugby premiership highlights on ITV
The presenter married Rachel Morse in December 2004. The couple are parents to children Archie, Freddie and Rosie (L-R: Judith Chalmers, Mark Durden-Smith and his wife, Rachel)
Chalmers is flanked by her two children, Emma (left) and Mark (right) outside London’s Dominion Theatre in 1986
She also appeared with her son in an episode of Celebrity Antiques Road Trip in 2013.
Judy, as she was known to family and friends, was one of the most recognisable faces on British television for decades.
The Cheshire-born presenter began broadcasting with the BBC at just 13. Chalmers’s father was an architect and her mother was a medical secretary.
She went on to present radio programmes including Woman’s Hour and Family Favourites in the 1960s.
She moved to ITV in the 1970s, fronting the daytime magazine show Good Afternoon.
Her defining role came in 1974, when she became the lead presenter of ITV’s travel programme Wish You Were Here…?, which she hosted until 2003.
At her peak, she brought some of the world’s most exotic and historic destinations to primetime audiences.
