Millionaire 'winner' bailed

Major Ingram must return to court on 28 August

The army major accused of cheating on TV quiz show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? has been remanded on bail.

Major Charles Ingram, his wife Diana Ingram and college lecturer Tecwen Whittock all face charges of deception and conspiracy after the major won the jackpot during a recording of the show.

Tecwen Whittock is a business studies lecturer

But the prize was withheld and a Scotland Yard investigation launched after producers claimed he had been helped by coded coughs from an audience member.

The three have strenuously denied the charges, saying they are confident they will be cleared of wrongdoing and will sue the show for the £1m.

They made their first court appearance, at Bow Street Magistrates Court in London, on Wednesday.

They must now return on Wednesday 28 August.

The show in which the major successfully answered all the questions, was filmed in September 2001 but has never been broadcast.

An unnamed 35-year-old man is also on bail while investigations continue.

The Ingrams, who are both 38 years old and from Easterton, Wiltshire, issued a statement after being charged on Wednesday 31 July.

Claim

Their solicitor said: "Both Mr and Mrs Ingram intend to defend the charges and are confident that they will be cleared of any wrongdoing."

The solicitor said Major Ingram planned to "proceed with his claim against the makers of the programme for payment of the £1 million prize" once he was cleared.

"In the light of the forthcoming criminal proceedings neither Mr or Mrs Ingram will be making any further comments or statements at this stage," the solicitor added.

Mr Whittock, 52, of Whitchurch, Cardiff, is the head of business studies at Pontypridd College in south Wales.

The show is a huge ratings success and has been syndicated around the world. It is presented by Chris Tarrant and made by Celador for ITV1.