Quiz actress believes Who Wants to be a Millionaire cheats could be innocent

Actress Helen McCrory believes a question mark hangs over the conviction of the Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? quiz show cheats.

Major Charles Ingram won the jackpot in 2001, helped by Tecwen Whittock, who coughed if he said a right answer.

Ingram, his
wife Diana and Whittock were convicted of trying to cheat the show, hosted by Chris Tarrant.

But Helen, who plays their QC in Quiz, an ITV drama about the case, said: “The fact that a lot of people at the time didn’t hear the cough...

“Chris Tarrant didn’t hear the cough, the person sitting opposite didn’t hear the cough, people either side didn’t hear the cough, yet for some reason he [Charles Ingram] heard the cough – really?

Helen McCrory believes a question mark hangs over the conviction of the Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? quiz show cheats (Rex)

“Now for some reason maybe he did. Maybe it was a complete set-up, or maybe he didn’t.

“You’re just looking for a truth.”

Ingram, played by Succession star Matthew Macfadyen, and Diana (Fleabag’s Sian Clifford) always insisted they were innocent.

Matthew Macfadyen as Charles Ingram, Sian Clifford as Diana Ingram and Michaerl Sheen as Chris Tarrant in ITV's Quiz (LEFT BANK PICTURES/ITV)

Major Charles Ingram won the jackpot in 2001, helped by Tecwen Whittock, pictured, who coughed if he said a right answer (PA)

Helen said: “You see these two innocents walk into the gladiators den, and at the same time we all know it’s just magic boxes – it’s lights and smoke and mirrors.’”

After a trial in 2003 the Ingrams and Whittock got suspended sentences.

Tarrant is played by Michael Sheen, who has admitted being impressed by the quizmaster. He said: “He is so brilliant at what he does on that show.

“He is doing so many things at the same time, making it look effortless.”