ITV The Chase star Jenny Ryan's life with partner and terrifying incident at home

Jenny Ryan
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Jenny Ryan quickly became a fan favourite after arriving on The Chase back in 2015. The Vixen, 42, was given the job after being recommended by co-star Anne Hegarty after they quizzed on a team together.

Before she joined the ITV show, she had first showcased her impressive knowlege on University Challenge, helping the University of Leeds to reach the semi-finals in 2003. She went on to appear on Mastermind, in both series of Are You an Egghead?, Fifteen to One, The Weakest Link and Only Connect.

She also worked as a QI Elf. But what do we know about her life away from the show?

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Below we look at Jenny's romance with her partner, and a devastating incident which left her scared to be in her home.

Jenny Ryan's life with partner

While Jenny rarely talks about her private life, we did find out she has a partner when she appeared on Celebrity Escape to the Country. Jenny got emotional discussing her move 'back home' to lay down roots with her beloved Tom Tuck.

On the programme, they revealed to host Jules Hudson their aspirations to swap urban life for the scenic countryside close to Jenny's native Bolton. The quiz virtuoso, who relocated to London for TV career opportunities and settled there while shooting The Chase on ITV, had a budget of £850,000 to find her perfect home.

In a touching conversation outside with Jules about one home on the search, she expressed: "This feels like the beginning of a fairytale, it is astonishing."

Jenny with her partner Tom
Jenny with her partner Tom -Credit:BBC

Jules Hudson noticed Jenny's emotional state and asked: "Is there a bit of emotion in your voice?" Agreeing, Jenny responded: "This is what has got me, the woodlands. It feels like we are in time a little bit here."

She then reflected on her life in London and why she chose to return to the tranquil countryside. Jenny explained: "It is great for transport links, very accessible to get to where I need to, to get to the studio to film The Chase. There is not really a lot of greenery, it is just a bit loud."

The couple disclosed that they were seeking a four-bedroom detached period-styled property with a lush garden, ample entertaining space, and potential for reconfiguration. The Vixen continued: "This is about me moving to what I call closer to home. London is where I have a home, but my home and my heart are always back up north."

Despite Jenny and Tom's affection for the property, the TV star admitted that she would need her parent's approval before making an offer.

Jenny rarely speaks about her private life, but shared about her partner in a tweet in 2016: "My boyfriend is shark phobic but dog-obsessed so I am showing him all #BarkWeek pics to help him get over his fear. Cheers x."

Jenny Ryan's terrifying incident at home

Jenny explained how she felt 'scared' to be in her own home after she was robbed while inside. She had a knock on the door from a workman, who said there was a leak in the flat upstairs and he needed to take some photos.

The star revealed on Good Morning Britain: "He didn't just take some photos, he took my phone and some jewellery that was irreplaceable. It was made for me as a gift by my mum and step dad."

She added: "It was a moment of losing concentration, of probably being too polite, of not wanting to say 'no let me see your ID, wait there.'

"I just wanted it to be over and by that time he was in my house, he had shut himself in my bedroom and was rifling through my stuff."

Sadly, Jenny didn’t realise she’d been robbed until he had left. she confessed that she felt ‘scared’ in her house and ‘vulnerable’.