ITV’s new drama ‘Quiz’ is about the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire cheating scandal

ITV have a new upcoming drama show called Quiz, all about the coughing cheating scandal that took place on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire in 2001.

The coughing scandal was when a couple and their accomplice managed to win £1 million by cheating.

Ex Army Major Charles Ingram was a contestant on the show and was found to be cheating with his wife Diana, who was sat in the audience and another contestant, Tecwen Whittock.

via ITV

Tecwen would cough for the right answer and blow his nose when Charles was going to give the wrong answer. It was also claimed the three used mobile phones and pagers to get correct answers.

Charles was accused of cheating after the producers watched the show back.

Charles and his wife went to court in 2003, where they had a four week trial. In the trial Whittock claimed he had suffered a persistent cough all his life. During the recording of the show 192 coughs were heard in the studio.

via ITV

The couple were given an 18 month suspended sentence and fined £25,000. Tecwen Whittock was given a 12 month suspended sentence.

ITV’s dramatisation of the story will star Michael Sheen as Chris Tarrant. The cast will also include Helen McCrory, Aisling Bea and Matthew MacFadyen.

via ITV

The story was previously a stage show in the West End and has now been adapted for television.

Whilst no trailer has been released yet, a number of photos from ITV show the couple being interviewed by the press, in the docks and Charles celebrating his win.

The drama will have three episodes and there is no current release date.

Related stories recommended by this writer:

•Durham student wins £32,000 on Who wants to be a Millionaire?

•The chilling true story behind murder drama White House Farm

•David Tennant to become chilling serial killer in new true crime drama