IS this Bolton’s most intelligent woman?

Jenny Ryan is a master of general knowledge and is one of the most successful quiz contestants in Europe.

The town’s answer to University Challenge genius Gail Trimble has appeared on a host of highbrow TV quiz shows.

She also secured second place at the European Quiz Championships 2008.

Now the 27-year-old — also the number one ranked quizzer under the age of 30 in the UK — is hoping to secure the top spot at this year’s event.

She says the secret to being good at quizzes is to take an interest in a wide range of subjects.

Miss Ryan said: “There are some people in competitions who read encyclopedias and learn lists, but I don’t have that kind of brain.

“I don’t really learn like that — I learn because I find something interesting or enjoy it.

“I might read a book or watch a documentary and a few things will stick, so I’m best at things like film and TV, pop culture, literature and arts.”

Miss Ryan has appeared on University Challenge, Fifteen to One, The Weakest Link and Mastermind.

Her specialist subject on Mastermind was Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She says she has a good knowledge of all subjects, but admits that science is probably her weakness.

Miss Ryan, of Bottom o’ th’ Moor, Horwich, first became interested in quizzing when her granddad, who used to run a Bolton quiz league, asked her questions as a child.

It was only when she appeared on University Challenge that she really became hooked.

As a law student, she helped her University of Leeds team reach the semi-final of the competition in 2003.

She now works as a freelance writer of quiz questions for TV quiz shows, as well as wedding planning on the side.

Miss Ryan is hoping to travel to Holland in November for this year’s European championships, but may have to pull out because she cannot afford to travel, and she is now looking for sponsorship.

She said: “It would mean so much if I could go, because it’s the highlight of the year for me. I see it as a mind sport — it could be the future.”

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