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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Entertainment
Rachel Gorman

New ITV mini-series by Notts playwright to star Michael Sheen as Chris Tarrant

The Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? coughing scandal will be the subject of a new ITV mini-series starring Michael Sheen as Chris Tarrant.

Written by Nottinghamshire playwright James Graham, who also penned critically-acclaimed West End drama Ink, Channel 4's Brexit: The Uncivil War and an episode of Netflix's The Crown, Quiz will be screened next year.

It tells the extraordinary story of how Charles and Diana Ingram attempted an audacious heist on the popular prime time quiz show.

Major Ingram, his wife and an accomplice, Tecwen Whittock, who was sitting in the audience, were accused of cheating their way to the million pounds jackpot, back in 2001.

The couple stood trial for conspiring to cough during the recording, to signify the correct answers to the multiple choice questions.

A 'first look' image has now been released of Sheen as Tarrant (above) and recreates the famous shot of the host arriving to give evidence at the Ingram trial at Southwark Crown Court in March 2003, which will be seen in the drama.

The three-parter is directed by Stephen Frears (A Very English Scandal, Florence Foster Jenkins, Philomena, The Queen) and was originally a West End play, penned by Mansfield-born Graham.

Matthew Macfadyen stars as Major Charles Ingram, Michael Sheen as TV presenter Chris Tarrant, Sian Clifford as Diana Ingram, Mark Bonnar as Celador Television Chairman Paul Smith, Helen McCrory as Sonia Woodley QC, Michael Jibson as Tecwen Whittock and Aisling Bea as ITV Entertainment Commissioner Claudia Rosencrantz.

Quz will be screened on ITV and AMC next year.

With the General Election approaching we want to give you all the results and reactions as they happen. Join our new WhatsApp service to receive breaking news alerts throughout the night by texting ELECTION to 07790586202. The first messages will go out December 12 after polls close. 

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