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Charles Ingram Launches Into Rant About Chris Tarrant And Calls Him 'Deluded'

Charles Ingram Launches Into Rant About Chris Tarrant And Calls Him 'Deluded'

The plot thickens!

Mary-Jane Wiltsher

Mary-Jane Wiltsher

It's all kicking off on Twitter.

Major Charles Ingram - the man at the heart of the Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? cheating scandal recently dramatised in ITV show Quiz - has launched into a rant against presenter Chris Tarrant.

In a series of tweets, the so-called 'coughing major' called the TV quiz host "deluded" for accusing him of cheating when he scooped the £1million prize.

The original scandal played out in 2001.

Ingram, a former British Army major, was accused of swindling his way to the jackpot by conspiring with his wife, Diana, and an accomplice in the audience, Tecwen Whittock, who would cough on hearing the correct answer.

The Ingrams maintained their innocence throughout their court trial. They were eventually found guilty - along with Whittock - and given an 18-month suspended sentence and ordered to pay fines of £65,000.

Charles Ingram has tweeted that presenter Chris Tarrant is Tarrant is out to
Charles Ingram has tweeted that presenter Chris Tarrant is Tarrant is out to

Now, the nation is glued to ITV's dramatic re-enactment of the affair, which stars Matthew Macfadyen as Ingram, Sian Clifford as his wife Diana and Michael Sheen as Chris Tarrant.

It seems Ingram has a few words to say about Tarrant's reaction to the case, though.

In the Major's view, Tarrant is out to "protect his legacy" and should actually "have been called as a defence witness".

Originally, Tarrant went on the record saying that he didn't hear any coughing during Charles Ingram's Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? appearance. But after being presented with the evidence, he asserted that Ingram was "guilty as sin".


"We were good until he was told otherwise," tweeted Ingram. "Tarrant wants to protect his legacy, his team, and the integrity of the UK production."

He continued: "I get that, but there is the more important issue of justice, including all public that spent millions phoning and appeared. [sic] Who protects us?"

"Tarrant should have been a defence witness."

In his tweets, Ingram accused Tarrant of showing "no responsibility" to the show contestants and having "delusions of grandeur".

Ingram and his wife Diana were accused of conspiring with accomplice Tecwen Whittock to win the £1 million prize in 2001 (
ITV)

He said: "I think he's proven he will do anything to protect his legacy, the famed UK production and his 'family' regardless of what they have done.

"It says much that he feels no responsibility toward the people who apply and appear on the show."

"Tarrant is not the person people think he is. TV does that.

"He suffers from delusions of grandeur and despite no proof I cheated he keeps harping on to protect his mates.

He added: "I'm sad for him. p.s., I'm still calm."

ITV's three-part series 'Quiz' - which dramatises the cheating scandal - continues tonight at 9pm (
ITV)

As it stands, Tarrant he has made no statement about Ingram's accusations. The presenter's management have been contacted for comment.

Crikey, the drama off-camera rivals that on screen, eh?

Quiz continues tonight at 9pm on ITV.

Featured Image Credit: PA Images

Topics: TV News, TV Entertainment, ITV