Millionaire three in court on cheating charges

An army major, his wife and a college lecturer accused of cheating their way to the jackpot on ITV's Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? appeared at Bow Street magistrates court today.

Major Charles William Ingram, 39, Diana Naomi Ingram, 39, both of The Grange, 27 High Street, Easterton, Devizes, Wiltshire, and Tecwen Whittock, 52, head of business studies at Pontypridd College, Cardiff, were sent for trial at Southwark crown court and will appear on August 28.

During the three-minute hearing in the packed central London courtroom, the accused spoke only to confirm their names, ages and addresses.

Major Ingram won the top prize of £1m on the hit ITV show but, because of the controversy, his performance has never been broadcast. His prize cheque was also frozen.

His wife Diana, a lecturer and nursery nurse, was a previous winner on the show, as was her brother. Both won £32,000 and Mrs Ingram wrote a book giving advice on how to scoop the £1m prize.

Mr Whittock appeared on the show after Major Ingram but went away with only £1,000 after getting the £8,000 question wrong.

Reporting restrictions were not lifted and all three are pleading not guilty.

They were allowed unconditional bail.