As Celebrity Hunted returns with a brand new set of stars, we take a deep dive into the life of Jen Bristler.18:03, 03 Aug 2026A fresh group of famous faces has signed up for the next series of Celebrity Hunted, with comedians Jen Brister and Laura Smyth among those preparing to go on the run for charity.‌The upcoming edition of the Channel 4 programme will once again raise money for Stand Up To Cancer, with contestants attempting to evade capture while being tracked by a team of expert hunters.‌Joining Jen and Laura in the celebrity line-up are entertainer Brian Conley and his actor-comedian daughter Lucy, Strictly Come Dancing professionals Amy Dowden MBE and Carlos Gu, Love Island stars Chris Taylor and Toby Aromolaran, television presenters JJ Chalmers and Sophie Morgan, and property experts and siblings Scarlette and Stuart Douglas.‌But who is comedian Jen Brister and where have fans seen her before?Career and upbringingBorn in Kingston upon Thames in 1975 to a British father and a Spanish mother, she grew up with three brothers and was educated at the all-girls Ursuline High School in Wimbledon before continuing her studies at Richmond College. Her Spanish heritage and particularly her relationship with her mother have become a recurring source of inspiration in her comedy, featuring heavily in many of her routines.‌Although she initially studied drama at Middlesex University, it was there that Jen discovered her true calling. In the mid-1990s, she enrolled on what was then the UK's only university course dedicated to stand-up comedy. The pioneering programme also produced a number of successful comedians, including Alan Carr.Jen performed her first gig in 1996 at the King's Head in Crouch End, marking the beginning of a career that has taken her from intimate comedy clubs to some of the world's biggest festivals.Over the years, she has appeared at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Adelaide Fringe and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, while remaining a regular performer at renowned venues including London's Comedy Store and Up the Creek. In 2018, she embarked on her first nationwide tour with her show Meaningless, before returning to the road in 2022 with The Optimist.‌Away from the live stage, Brister has become a familiar face on television. She has appeared on a number of popular comedy panel shows, including Mock the Week in 2021 and QI the following year, further cementing her reputation as one of Britain's leading stand-up comics.As well as this, she has also appeared on the popular BBC's Live at the Apollo.Private life‌Jen has been known to keep her private life out of the spotlight however it is known that she and her partner, Chloe Martin, have twin sons born in September 2014. The family live in Brighton.In 2019, Jen published a book called The Other Mum. The book explores various aspects of motherhood that are sometimes not spoken about.On her website, Jen wrote about her book while giving insight into her family dynamic. She penned: "Two years ago, my partner (a woman – we’re not solicitors) gave birth to twins. Yes. Yes. Already there’s a lot to take in here: gay mums, twins, solicitors… (I know! Believe me, I’m still reeling myself.)"‌During her stand-up performance at Soho Theatre, Jen revealed that she is a "non-biological mum" while her girlfriend is a "biological mum".ActivismAway from the comedy circuit, Jen Brister has become an outspoken advocate on a range of social and political issues, regularly using her public profile to support causes close to her heart. Alongside her stand-up career, she has spoken out on human rights, LGBTQ+ visibility and humanitarian issues, often blending activism with the same honesty and humour that have made her a popular performer.Article continues belowBrister has also backed fundraising campaigns, including All Our Relations, which supports families and community food kitchens in Gaza. She has taken part in public rallies and demonstrations organised by groups such as the Together Alliance, speaking out against hatred, discrimination and fascism.Whether on stage, through her writing or across social media, Brister frequently uses her platform to challenge those in power, encourage debate and campaign for greater equality, making activism an important part of her work beyond comedy.Celebrity Hunted starts Monday 3 August, 9pm on Channel 4.