I’m introverted but The Vixen makes me more powerful

Jenny Ryan on her transformation on screen and role as ‘mum’ of the Chasers

I wish more people had spoken out about mental health when I was younger. I spent so many years in my teens and twenties sort of adrift.

As Beat The Chasers returns for a new series, Jenny “The Vixen” Ryan is back in the hot seat. However, with her fellow Chaser Anne Hegerty struck down with Covid, producers had to draft in a temporary replacement – Issa “The Super Nerd” Schultz from the Australian show.

Here, Jenny spills the beans on Issa, her behind-the-scenes friendships and mental wellbeing…

Hi Jenny, how did you find working with a new Chaser?

We were all a bit apprehensive that Issa would be intimidated, being dropped straight in. But he is a natural. The studio audience got him right away.

Beat The Chasers sees you work as a team. What would you say your role is?

I hesitate to say I’m the mum… but I’m the mum. I’m the one who makes the split-second decisions and refocuses us between matches. I don’t tend to get too competitive with the other Chasers, as it’s a team game. But some of my colleagues do forget that.

Are you all friends outside work?

I’m probably closest to Paul [“Sinnerman” Sinha], as I go to his comedy and we hang out. Mark [“The Beast” Labbett] and Anne are also a unit. There are little divisions but we’re all one family. Bradley [Walsh, the host] is hard to pin down, so we enjoy him when we’re in studio. If I need advice, he’s always on the end of the phone.

Your trademark Vixen look is striking. Are you often recognised as yourself?

It’s astonishing when people spot me in my civvies. Often it’s when they hear my voice that they realise. I was wearing my mask, had no glasses and my hair quite blonde but the guy in John Lewis said hello straight away.

Do you enjoy dressing up as The Vixen?

I call it a costume or armour. It’s how I make myself more powerful. I’m a bit of an introvert. When I’m her, I’m a slightly different version of myself and can be meaner. People say, ‘Oh, you’re so lovely’ and I’m like, ‘Did you want me to throw an insult at your expense?’

Do you still do pub quizzes for fun?

It’s tricky now. If you take part and win, people grumble because I’m a professional. Or if you lose, people take the mick!

You appeared in the live stage version of The Masked Singer. How was that?

I was Baby Dino, so I had a big tail and my head sort of hatched out of this enormous egg. There wasn’t much dancing – but how often do you get asked to sing in front of 8000 people?

You’ve spoken about struggling with your mental health. Is it important to you to use your position to publicise this?

It is. I wish when I’d been younger more people did because I spent so many years in my teens and my twenties sort of adrift. When people in the public eye speak out, people know they aren’t alone. I know I’ve helped people because I get messages of thanks.

What coping mechanisms do you use?

Lack of light affects me – I have seasonal affective disorder. Using a light box is good. I went quite extreme and went to California. I know we can’t all do that and I feel privileged but it proved to me about the light. It doesn’t take it all away but it takes the edge off.

• Beat the Chasers, Monday, STV, 9pm.