28 February 2024 , 13:21
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Fans got a shock after spotting a confusingly familiar face on a throwback episode of Only Connect.
Professional quizzer Jenny Ryan, 41, is best known for being on the Chase, with her known as 'the Vixen' on the ITV show. More than a decade ago though, she competed on Only Connect, winning the BBC show's third series, which aired in 2010.
A "winners special," originally broadcast the following year, which saw her team return, was shown on BBC Two on Monday. Jenny competed as part of the Gamblers, with her teammates Dave Bill and Alan Gibbs. The trio were up against the Epicureans, who had won the fourth series.
The show's host Victoria Coren Mitchell reintroduced each contestant, prior to the team competing against each other, in the episode. Victoria said about Jenny: "A law graduate who enjoys playing poker and bingo."
Jenny Ryan appeared on a throwback episode of Only Connect that was broadcast earlier this week (BBC)Only Connect viewers took to X, formerly known as Twitter, during the episode to share their surprise. One person said in a tweet: "I wouldn't have recognised Jenny Ryan on this one but for the ever present name caption."
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A second said: "I did not recognise [Jenny] at all there." Someone else commented: "Blimey didn't recognise [her]." Another viewer wrote: "Please settle an argument, is Jenny Ryan on #OnlyConnect the same one of #TheChase fame?"
Someone tweeted: "It took us a while before we realised it was that Jenny Ryan, but it was her accent and some of her facial expressions that finally gave it away." Another said that Jenny was "looking very different" on the BBC quiz show.
And another person tweeted: "Blimey, I didn't recognise Jenny Ryan (aka The Vixen from The Chase) at first - she hasn't got her trademark glasses and hairstyle." Whilst one fan said: "On tonight's #OnlyConnect there is a Jenny Ryan. If it is the same Jenny as is in #TheChase then WOW!"
The episode, from 2011, saw her compete as part of team the Gamblers, alongside Dave Bill (centre) and Alan Gibbs (right) (BBC)Jenny had herself teased to her followers on social media in advance that she would be appearing in the throwback episode broadcast this week. Alongside a photo from another time she competed on the show, she wrote on Instagram: "POV: It's 2011 and your #OnlyConnect team are fighting to be crowned the champion of champions."
Only Connect isn't the only quiz show that Jenny appeared on prior to joining the Chase. She's also been on the likes of University Challenge and Mastermind, with her specialist subject on the latter having been Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
She went on to join the Chase in 2015 and has remained on the show, which is hosted by Bradley Walsh, since then. Jenny also appears with her co-stars on the spin-off Beat the Chasers, which was launched by ITV back in 2020.