
The Chase star spotted in crowd watching Zhao Xintong vs Mark Williams in World Snooker Championship final
THE CHASE star Jenny Ryan has gone from being clued up to cued up as she watched the World Snooker Championship final.
Ryan, 43, was seen in Crucible stands as Zhao Xintong faced Mark Williams.
4
4
The Chinese cueist is one frame away from making history and becoming the first "amateur" and player from Asia to become world champion.
His victory would complete a remarkable turnaround as Xintong recently served a 20-month ban from snooker for his involvement in a match-fixing scandal.
He was cheered on by Ryan, who is best known as one of the six brainiacs from hit quiz show The Chase.
Nickanamed The Vixen, she has been on the programme presented by Bradley Walsh since 2015.
Ryan was selected for the ITV show after being recommended by fellow Chaser Anne Hegarty as they used to play together on the same quiz team.
The Vixen is also a singer and TV personality.
She has featured on shows like Celebrity Masterchef, The Masked Singer and The X Factor: Celebrity.
Ryan was not the only familiar face in Sheffield to watch the final, with the TV cameras also regularly picking up Adrian Chiles sat in the front row.
The TV presenter and writer currently works for BBC Radio 5 Live after previously hosting The One Show, Daybreak and football on ITV.
Olympic gold medal-winning athlete Christine Ohuruogu was also there.
Earlier in the week, Premier League broadcasting legend Geoff Shreeves was spotted watching Ronnie O'Sullivan beat Pang Junxu.
Judd Trump moans Crucible atmosphere is 'like darts' after giving fan death stare
4
4
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Record
30 minutes ago
- Daily Record
I'm an ex Liverpool kid who was lost boy at Hibs and banned from every Edinburgh nightclub for peeing against a wall
The former Liverpool kid admits his time in the capital in 2011 was life-changing as he changed his ways Victor Palsson was barred from every nightclub in Edinburgh when he was a Hibs player. The Icelander got drunk and was caught urinating against a wall, which resulted in a blanket ban. But after quitting the booze, Palsson got his career back on track. And the former Liverpool kid has enjoyed a career which has taken him from New York to Holland, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium - and now Plymouth. Palsson, along with his Iceland team-mates, left Scotland looking punch drunk at Hampden on Friday night as they secured a 3-1 friendly win. It brought back memories of his time in the capital with the Hibees in 2011, which he says was a life-changing experience. The 34-year-old, who scored Iceland's third goal against Steve Clarke's side, said: 'It was a very long time ago. I was a young lost boy back then. 'Looking back, I was young and not really aware of the importance of life and being a professional footballer. I made a lot of mistakes, especially at Hibs. It started off OK but then it wasn't good. 'I didn't leave in a good way either, so I think my time there is remembered for the wrong things. There was a big incident, a six month ban from all the nightclubs. But as I said, I was lost. 'It helped me focus, 100 percent. A few years later I made some big decisions to sort out my life. I'm happy I did that. I gave up drinking. The time at Hibs played a part in that. 'I just couldn't handle my drinking. I gave it up and haven't had a drink for almost 11 years now. I had to focus and I've managed to make a decent career.' Palsson is now at Plymouth Argyle who were relegated from the English Championship last season. That was despite the efforts of Scottish striker Ryan Hardie, who bagged 12 goals for the Pilgrims. And Palsson insists he could play for Scotland. He said: 'Ryan is a really good player and I hope we can hold on to him. 'For two years, he's hit double figure goals in the Championship. He talks to us about Scotland. He's a great professional who wants to play for his country and I think he's done enough to get a chance - even in a friendly. 'Hopefully we'll see him play for Scotland in the future. Ryan is a great finisher and so quick. He's rapid.' Iceland fully deserved their shock win over Clarke's men at Hampden on Friday night - even if they were helped by mistakes from rookie keeper Ciaran Slicker. Palsson was delighted with the result and admits they took advantage of the goalie's fragility. He said: 'We played some great football in the first half and didn't give away many chances. We suffered a bit in the second half but overall it was a fair win. 'I try to put myself in the shoes of the young goalkeeper. He came on after two minutes and we could see with his first few kicks, he wasn't 100 percent. 'We just started pressing him and it gave us blood on the teeth. We heard the crowd boo at half-time so we just said, keep doing what we're doing. It was a good win for us.'


Scotsman
44 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Love Island series 12 cast: what are stars ‘biggest icks'?
Love Island will be welcoming a host of new singletons to the famous villa shortly - and plenty of them know exactly what they are looking for. The iconic reality show recently celebrated its 10th birthday. ITV has set the return date and it is just over 24 hours away on Monday (June 9). 12 singletons will soon be jetting off to see if they can find the one in the sun. The action will be returning to the show's traditional villa in Spain - after moving to South Africa for the All-Star spin-off in the winter. Maya Jama is on hosting duties once again. It is set to be broadcast on ITV2 once again - with new episodes six days a week. Ahead of the start of series 12, the new cast have been discussing what they are looking for. One star who was announced for the show but quickly pulled out has broken his silence on his exit. Have you got a story you want to share with our readers? You can now send it to us online via YourWorld at . It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers. 1 . Connor - 25, rugby player, Limerick Talking about what he is looking for in the villa, Connor said: 'Someone who is really sure of themselves, ambitious, a bit of a go-getter and good craic. I like dark eyes and I don't mind a dominant woman.' But his 'icks' include: 'Being too needy, or needing to do everything together.' | ITV Photo: ITV Photo Sales 2 . Blu - 26, construction project manager, London Discussing what he is looking for in the villa, Blu said: 'Someone who is family oriented, has a lot of love to give and a lot of love to receive. Personality goes a long way.' But he warned that his biggest icks are: 'When you see toothpaste in the sink. Just turn the tap on right? When it's dried up as well? Gross.' | ITV Photo: ITV Photo Sales 3 . Shakira - 22, marketing, Burnley Shakira is looking for someone who: 'Someone who is tall, charming, witty, with big arms, a good smile and just really funny.' However her biggest 'icks' in the romance department include: 'Bad hygiene, like bad breath. I can't deal with it. Garlic breath or onion breath on a date is a big no-no.' | ITV Photo: ITV Photo Sales 4 . Harry - 30, gold trader, Guildford In the villa, Harry is looking for: 'The girl next door that makes me laugh and can hold eye contact with me. I don't think I'd go for the most obvious girl, I like a real sweet girl.' But when it comes to 'icks' his biggest are: 'Someone DM-ing me first. I don't like that, I think I'm a little bit more old fashioned. I don't slide into DMs if I don't know someone. Also someone that tries too hard and is trying to be who they think I want them to be.' | ITV Photo: ITV Photo Sales


Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Where Soldier, Soldier cast are now - booze battles, affairs and tragic death
Soldier, Soldier was a huge TV hit in the 90s and made stars of Robson Green and Jerome Flynn who went on to have a number one hit and huge success in Hollywood Soldier, Soldier star Marise Wipani has tragically died aged 61. The actress, who also appeared in Xena: Warrior Princess, died on her birthday on Friday. Her Facebook page announced the news of her death in a sad message to friends and family. It read: "Marise passed peacefully today on her 61st birthday surrounded by family and friends. "She just wanted to say....I have shuffled off this mortal coil. Good byyye, good luuuck, good God!!! Quote from Driving Miss Daisy." Her cause of death was not shared in the post. ITV's Soldier, Soldier was a massive telly hit in the 90s, captivating viewers with its fictional insight into the ups and downs of the British Army. Set within the made-up 1st Battalion The King's Fusiliers regiment, it delved into the professional and personal dramas of the show's ensemble. The standout stars were Robson and Jerome, who enjoyed a brief but significant music career, sparked by an episode where they performed Unchained Melody. With Simon Cowell's support, their rendition topped the charts for seven weeks and became 1995's best-selling single. They both exited the show in the fifth series, but it continued for another two seasons before wrapping up in December 1997. It ran for seven series and captured the nation's attention. Since the show ended, the stars have had varied fates. Here's a look at what the cast have been up to... Robson Green - Fusilier Dave Tucker Robson was already familiar to viewers for his role as Jimmy Powell on BBC One's Casualty when he scored the part of Fusilier Dave Tucker, reports the Express. This role propelled him to mega-stardom and chart-topping success. He and co-star Jerome Flynn had a short but massive music career which saw them become the first act to have their initial three singles enter the charts at number one. Since leaving the show, angling fanatic Robson has presented numerous fishing shows. He has also appeared in BBC Three's supernatural drama Being Human, as well as BBC One's Waterloo Road. His current role sees him playing DI George Keating in ITV's hugely popular '50s set detective drama Grantchester. Off screen, Green's personal life has been quite eventful; he wed Alison Ogilvie in 1991, but their marriage ended by 1999 amid reports of Green's affair with Pamela McDonald, who was then the wife of Emmerdale 's Ian Sharrock, known for his role as Jackie Merrick on the soap. He met his second wife, former Page 3 model Vanya Seager, during a recording session at BMG Records in 1995. They went on to have a son, Taylor Seager-Green and tied the knot in 2001. However, a decade later they issued a statement saying their marriage had "irretrievably broken down" and that they were separating. Jerome Flynn - Lance Corporal Paddy Garvey After getting his breakthrough in London's Burning Jerome found huge fame with Soldier, Soldier and in his music career with co-star Robson Green In more recent times Jerome resurrected his acting career, impressing audiences globally with his role in Game of Thrones and gracing ITV's Ripper Street. His career took another thrilling turn in 2019 when he shared the big screen with Keanu Reeves and Halle Berry in the action thriller John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum. Off-screen, the star has never married nor had children, but he's created a new-age holiday retreat named Trefacwn in a Grade II-listed Georgian mansion, which its website claims radiates "an ancient healing energy palpable to all who visit". Denise Welch - Marsha Stubbs Denise became a household name as Marsha Stubbs on the show back in 1993 and continued to grace the screens for two years until 1995, by then already recognised from her stints in Byker Grove and Spender. Post Soldier, Soldier, she starred in Coronation Street as Natalie Barnes, causing a stir across the nation when she became embroiled in the breakdown of Kevin and Sally Webster's marriage. Since then, Denise's career has thrived with roles in hit series like Holby City, Down To Earth, Waterloo Road, and Hollyoaks. She is also no stranger to reality TV and has appeared on Dancing On Ice and she won Celebrity Big Brother in 2012. A familiar face now on Loose Women, Denise openly shares her struggles with alcoholism on the show and is well appreciated for her candour. Behind the scenes, Denise is a mother to two sons with her former spouse Tim Healy, one being Matty, the frontman of The 1975, and she's currently married to artist Lincoln Townley. Annabelle Apsion - Joy Wilton Annabelle might not have been a well-known figure to audiences during her time on Soldier, Soldier with only a few minor roles under her belt, but today she stands as one of televisions most recognisable figures, noted for a myriad of iconic roles since departing the series in 1995. A year on from her exit, she portrayed Jenni Hicks, a mother who tragically lost her two daughters in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, in the docudrama Hillsborough. She also shared the silver screen with Hollywood heartthrob Johnny Depp in From Hell, where she played Polly Nichols, Jack the Ripper's first known victim. In 2002, she made a brief yet unforgettable appearance on Coronation Street as Patricia Hillman, the ex-wife of serial killer Richard Hillman, who met a gruesome end at his hands. Despite her impressive acting portfolio, until recently she was most recognised for her role as Monica Gallagher in Channel 4's Shameless. However, these days she is best known for her portrayal of Mayor Violet Buckle in BBC One's Call The Midwife. Paterson Joseph - Fusilier Eddie "Horatio" Nelson Paterson Joseph was just beginning to make a name for himself when he featured in one episode of Soldier, Soldier in series four in 1994. That same year, he appeared in an episode of BBC's Casualty before becoming a regular on the show three years later. Over his 45-year career, he has become one of the most recognisable faces in British drama, playing roles such as Reuben in William and Mary, alongside Martin Clunes, the Marquis de Carabas in Neverwhere, Alan Johnson in Peep Show, Lyndon Jones in Green Wing; and Shorty in the first episode of Jericho. Like many other esteemed British actors, he has appeared in Doctor Who in the 2005 two-part episodes Bad Wolf and The Parting of the Ways. He played Rodrick, a contestant on a futuristic version of The Weakest Link game show. Most recently, he dazzled audiences in cinemas as Arthur Slugworth in Wonka. Away from the spotlight, he shares his life with wife Emmanuelle Joseph and their child. He also holds the esteemed position of Chancellor at Oxford Brookes University. Holly Aird - Corporal (later Sergeant) Nancy Thorpe Holly, a veteran actress since childhood, boasted an impressive resume by the time she joined Soldier, Soldier. Post-departure, she captivated viewers as Carla in Dressing For Breakfast and became widely recognised for her role as forensic pathologist Frankie Wharton in BBC1's Waking the Dead. Her recent credits include roles in A Discovery Of Witches and Four Lives, and last year she shone in the Idris Elba-led Apple TV production Hijack. In her personal life, Holly was married to Rome actor James Purefoy from 1996 until 2002 and is currently wed to Toby Merritt since 2004. Samantha Morton - Clare Anderson Samantha Morton first graced our screens in Soldier, Soldier, making an immediate impact despite appearing in just four episodes. A mere four years later, she captured the nation's attention in ITV's Band Of Gold. Since then, she has graced the silver screen in Hollywood blockbusters like Minority Report with Tom Cruise, and Elizabeth: The Golden Age alongside Cate Blanchett. Expanding her talents, she has also ventured into producing and directing throughout her thirty-year career. Her outstanding contributions were honoured at this year's BAFTAs with the prestigious fellowship, where she delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech: "representation matters". Away from the spotlight, she's a mother to three children, including actress Esmé Creed-Miles.