Netflix has added Quiz, the gripping ITV drama about the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? cheating scandal starring Matthew Macfadyen
Katherine Palmer Senior TV Reporter for Screen Time
10:15, 02 Feb 2026
Quiz is available to watch on Netflix (Image: ITV)
Netflix has recently added a gripping drama series to its catalogue, drawing from the extraordinary real-life events of 2001 when ex-army major Charles Ingram took part in the hit quiz programme Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? The series, which first broadcast on ITV, features Matthew Macfadyen in the role of Charles Ingram and Michael Sheen portraying presenter Chris Tarrant.
Ingram, a former British Army officer, became notorious after his two-episode stint on the programme, during which he successfully answered all 15 questions to claim the top prize. He was recorded as only the third person to secure the £1 million jackpot, yet the winnings were withheld amid allegations of foul play.
A protracted legal battle revealed that members of the studio audience had been coughing strategically to signal the right responses. Upon examining the footage, producers spotted a pattern linking Ingram’s selections to coughs emanating from fellow contestant Tecwen Whittock, who was waiting in the wings.
Charles Ingram shortly after the scandal which was subject to a four-week trial(Image: GETTY )
In one notable instance, the telltale cough came from Ingram’s wife Diana, seated amongst the audience. The trio faced accusations of cheating, prompting police involvement, with Whittock and the Ingrams subsequently charged with “procuring the execution of a valuable security by deception”.
After a month-long trial at Southwark Crown Court, all three defendants received suspended prison sentences for two years. The Ingrams were handed 18-month sentences, while Whittock was given a 12-month sentence. Each of them was also hit with a £15,000 fine and ordered to contribute £10,000 towards the cost of the prosecution.
Two months post-sentencing, the judge presiding over the trial instructed the Ingrams to cover additional defence costs, bringing their total payment to £115,000. Following his stint on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, Ingram turned his hand to writing, penning two novels – The Network and Deep Siege.
He also made several other television appearances, including stints on The Weakest Link and Wife Swap. In 2010, Ingram suffered a serious accident involving a lawnmower, which led to the loss of three toes on his left foot. Speaking to the North Wiltshire and Kennet Gazette & Herald, the father-of-three recalled: “I was only wearing Wellingtons and it sliced right through the rubber.
Charles Ingram and his wife Diana have sold copies of his books(Image: GETTY)
“I remember seeing my big toe lying on the grass and thinking, ‘Oh dear’. I got up and managed to shuffle down to the front of the garden.” At the time, he added: “It could have been a lot worse. I am still in pain, and I am only just able to apply pressure to the ball of my foot, but I have not lost my balance.”
As of 2010, Ingram operates a computer business. Despite leading a more subdued life now, he offered his views on the show Quiz when it premiered in 2020. Taking to X, he penned: “#Quiz. WOW. The cast, the story, the scenes, simply brilliant. Terrifyingly accurate and oh yes, horribly cringeworthy. Floored by the pure talent on show tonight. Well done too to @ITV. Gutsy.
“Matthew [MacFadyen] is so damn good-looking I can’t sleep. Trying to kid myself I looked like that 19 years ago but failing miserably. Diana called me ‘Matthew’ as I was brushing my teeth.”
Sian Clifford, who played Charles’ wife Diana in Quiz, spoke about meeting the couple during a set visit: “They were very lovely. It was really nice to meet them, but we were careful to wait until the end because we wanted to honour [the] scripts and make sure we weren’t too influenced in either direction by meeting them. They were so sweet and kind and have been so generous with their time and the information they have provided.”
Now 62 years old, Charles reportedly lives in an 18th century farmhouse in the village of Maiden Bradley. He regularly posts on X about political issues.
Quiz can be streamed on Netflix.
