July 23rd 2024.
Are you a fan of the popular quiz show The Chase? After 15 years of watching, you might think that you know everything about it. From how the figures for the contestants are chosen to how many episodes are filmed in a day, we've uncovered it all. But just when you thought you knew everything, Jenny Ryan, also known as The Vixen, has revealed one of the show's long-held secrets.
As avid viewers may have noticed, each episode begins with host Bradley Walsh introducing the contestants and the chaser. But have you ever wondered about the mysterious figure sitting above Bradley? There have been many theories, from a cardboard cut-out to one of the chasers themselves. But Jenny has now revealed that it's not her, Mark Labbett, Shaun Wallace, Anne Hegerty, Paul Sinha, or Darragh Ennis. Instead, it's someone else entirely.
It's actually a man named Greg, who is in charge of the show's set. Or sometimes, it's given as a special privilege to the work experience. Either way, it's a big responsibility, and Greg will now forever be known as the famous silhouette on The Chase.
But it's not just the identity of the mystery figure that has piqued the interest of viewers. Many are also curious about what Bradley Walsh is like in real life. During a question and answer session at her Out Of The Box show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Jenny revealed that this is the most commonly asked question she receives. And her answer is sure to please Bradley, as she only has positive things to say about her colleague.
"He's such a lovely guy and a genuine privilege to work with," Jenny shared. "He has a real gift for a very difficult job and is particularly excellent at conversing with members of the public. He is a master at putting people at ease."
Aside from her role as The Vixen on The Chase, Jenny also loves chatting about what it's like to work on the show with fans. But surprisingly, it's not The Chase's version of The Stig that they're most interested in, but rather Bradley himself.
Jenny also shared some behind-the-scenes insights, like how Bradley has a talent for calming down extremely nervous contestants who may only hear every third word of the questions. He often finds common ground with them, whether it's traveling on the same road or having a shared favorite pub.
But even with all her knowledge and experience, Jenny admits that she still gets nervous sometimes. "Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and think, 'Oh no, I didn't say that,'" she confessed. "My main issue is mental arithmetic. I have to triple-check each answer, so those questions take me a long time. Bradley always gives me a knowing look when he's reading one out."
Despite the challenges, Jenny absolutely loves her job on The Chase. In fact, it's been her dream job since she was a child. Jenny was raised by her single mom, who worked as a nurse, and her grandad, who always had his nose in a book. He noticed her curiosity and encouraged her to learn more, even teaching her to read and write.
One of their special routines was watching quiz shows every afternoon after lunch. Jenny would impress her grandad with her correct answers, and he would light up with pride. Unfortunately, her grandad passed away when Jenny was 10, but his influence has stayed with her. "He is the reason I'm a strange dork on TV," Jenny joked. "I know he would be really proud, but also very envious as he would have been an amazing chaser himself."
Despite her success on The Chase and other quiz shows like The University Challenge, Only Connect, and Mastermind, Jenny still loves participating in pub quizzes. "You've got to keep your hand in," she said. "There are two sides to being a really good quizzer - putting stuff into your brain and getting the information out in a timely manner. So I will occasionally go to a standard pop quiz night, almost sit in a corner and try not to be noticed by anybody."
Aside from her love for quizzes, Jenny is also a talented singer. She showcased her vocal abilities as a finalist on The X Factor: Celebrity in 2019 and will be showcasing them once again on her tour, Jenny Ryan: Out Of The Box. She loves giving fans a different side of herself through music, as The Vixen is more ruthless and hard-headed, while Jenny is a soft, vulnerable human being.
In fact, Jenny's connection to musical theatre, singing voice, and The Chase has led many to suggest that she should write, direct, and star in a musical about the popular series. "You'll see it pop up in the West End in about 10 years' time," she joked, proposing song titles like Fanny Chmelar, Pushbacks, and Another Day at the Office.
But for now, Jenny is focused on continuing with the non-singing, non-dancing version of The Chase. She is incredibly proud to be part of a long-running show in an era of cancellations. "I think there's something for everyone on The Chase," she shared. "From little kids to great grandparents, there's something to make everybody feel smart. And the final chase always brings the thrill, no matter if you've missed the rest of the program."
If you want to catch Jenny in action, her Out Of The Box tour will be running from September 11 until November 10. Tickets are on sale now, and you can visit her website for more details. And don't forget to tune in to The Chase on ITV1 at 5:00 pm on weekdays.
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