With nothing else to do while we’re in lockdown, ITV’s Quiz couldn’t have come at a better time. The show, which started last night and continues tonight, depicts one of the most shocking things to happen in British TV: the 2001 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire coughing scandal (complete with Michael Sheen as host Chris Tarrant).
But just how close to reality is the new mini-series? And was The Syndicate really true?
Is Quiz based on a true story?
Yes! Back in 2001, Major Charles Ingram, his wife Diana and accomplice Tecwen Whittock were accused of cheating their way to winning one million pounds. While his wife managed to win £32,000 during her appearance, Major Charles Ingram answered all the questions correctly to land the top prize. However, Charles' episode didn’t air as the cheque was taken away as they left the studio. The Ingrams were later found guilty of ‘procuring the execution of a valuable security by deception’ in 2003, and were given two years suspended sentences and asked to pay £115,000. Whittock also received a 12 month sentence suspended for two years.
Was The Syndicate real?
Many viewers last night were shocked to learn about The Syndicate - but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t true. Last night’s episode saw Diana’s brother Adrian meet Paddy Spooner, an ex-contestant who ran a syndicate, asking for 25% of the winnings. Many serial quizzers capitalised on the show by forming syndicates that could help contestants land a spot in Winners Row, and answer questions by posing as Phone-A-Friends. In fact, it’s believed up to 10% of the show’s winnings were to do with syndicates.
How many people have won Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
Only five people have successfully scooped the million pounds. The first winner was former garden designer Judith Keppel in November 2000, who then went onto become part of team of quiz experts for Eggheads. The other winners comprise of David Edwards, a former physics teacher, Oxford educated banker Robert Brydges, multiple world champion Irish quiz player Pat Gibson and Ingram Wilcox, a British quiz enthusiast.
Where are Diana and Charles Ingram now?
Charles was not jailed, instead receiving an 18 month sentence suspended for two years. It was revealed in March 2016 that Charles paid only £1,240 of the £25,000 fine he was given. Magistrates later cut it to £5,000 - while Diana's was quashed on appeal. The pair are now said to live in Bath, where Diana makes and sells her own jewellery. According to The Sun, the pair declared themselves bankrupt for a fourth time in August 2019.
Despite their conviction, the pair managed to star on other reality shows until 2006, including Celebrity Wife Swap, Hell's Kitchen, Celebrity Poker Club and Fear Factor UK, with their last appearance being on The Weakest Link.
Who is Celador's Paul Smith?
Paul Smith - played in the series by Mark Bonnar - is the founder and chairman of Celador, the production company behind Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Celador was also the production company responsible for Danny Boyle's Oscar-winning film, Slumdog Millionaire, which itself features the Indian version of the hit quiz show.
Quiz continues tonight, and Wednesday, on ITV at 9pm.
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