‘Coughing Major’ Charles Ingram mans a jewellery stall at a market in Bath 18 years after Who Wants To Be A Millionaire cheating scandal
- Charles Ingram has been spotted flogging jewellery at a market stall in Bath
- Was disgraced by coughing scandal on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? in 2001
- He and wife Diana also declared themselves bankrupt for a fourth time in August
- New ITV drama ‘Quiz’ starring Michael Sheen as show host Chris Tarrant will explore the scandal
Disgraced quiz contestant Charles Ingram appears to be down on his luck – after he was spotted flogging cheap jewellery from a market stall.
The 56-year-old former Army major is possibly looking to make some extra cash from the venture at the city of Bath’s Christmas market after he declared himself bankrupt earlier this year.
Ingram notoriously cheated his way to win £1 million on gameshow Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? in 2001.
Disgraced quiz contestant Charles Ingram appears to be down on his luck – after he was spotted flogging cheap jewellery from a market stall
The 56-year-old former Army major might be looking to make some extra cash from the venture at the city of Bath’s Christmas market after he declared himself bankrupt earlier this year
‘It’s some comedown,’ said one onlooker of the trinkets stall which is being run by Ingram and his wife Diana.
The ex-military officer, then aged 38, amazed audiences when he scooped the top prize on the ITV primetime show while answering erratically to host Chris Tarrant’s questions.
But while Tarrant does hand over a cheque to winners on-screen, the money was withheld by production company Celador after concerns were raised over the possibility he had cheated.
The ex-military officer, then aged 38, amazed audiences when he scooped the top prize on the ITV primetime show while answering erratically to host Chris Tarrant’s questions in 2001
Diana Ingram stands behind the counter of her trinket stall at Bath Christmas market, which opened for the festive period this week
Charles Ingram won the £1million top prize in 2001 after being guided through the questions by coughing university lecturer Tecwen Whittock in the audience
Ingram spent time at his Wiltshire home to write novels following the scandal. He is pictured with his wife Diana, who was also convicted in the scandal
It later emerged that accomplice Tecwen Whittock, who was a future contestant, had coughed to indicate correct answers throughout the show.
Ingram, Diana and Whittock were convicted of deception in a 2003 crown court trial, and Ingram was given a 20-month suspended prison sentence.
His two accomplices were given 18-month suspended sentences for their part in the scam.
But his bad luck didn’t improve following his conviction. In 2010, he lost three toes on his left foot to his lawnmower.
Micheal Sheen, 50, has transformed into Chris Tarrant, 73, for the ITV drama, Quiz, which will broadcast in 2020
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? host Chris Tarrant arriving at Southwark Crown Court, central London, to give evidence at the trial of Army major Charles Ingram, in March 2003
And in August this year, he and wife Diana had to declare themselves bankrupt for a fourth time.
ITV have now announced that the story will be told in mini-series Quiz, with Matthew Macfadyen as Charles Ingram, Michael Sheen as Tarrant, and Fleabag’s Sian Clifford as Diana Ingram.
The three-part drama is directed by Stephen Frears, who made A Very English Scandal.
Ingram has had a long spate of bad luck following his conviction at Southwark Crown Court in 2003. In 2010, he lost three toes on his left foot to his lawnmower
Matthew Macfadyen and Sian Clifford will star as Charles and Diana Ingram in the new mini series Quiz. Filming took place earlier this year