Major sues millionaire programme

Major Charles Ingram, the Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? contestant accused of cheating on the show, has issued a writ against the programme makers to recover his £1m winnings.

The army major, who was accused of using coughing signals from the audience to help him claim the top prize on the ITV1 show, instructed his solicitors to take the legal action in respect of the ‘‘dishonoured cheque’’.

A statement from his solicitor, Morgan Cole, said: ‘‘We have this afternoon served a claim form - formerly known as a writ - on the solicitors of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Ltd - for his winnings, together with interest and costs.

‘‘Mr Ingram has reluctantly taken this important legal step, but feels his hand has been forced by the non-disclosure of the allegations against him.

‘‘Mr Ingram hopes he will be vindicated by the successful conclusion of this claim.’’

Programme maker Celador said it would be fighting the claim.

A statement on behalf of the firm said: ‘‘We have no further comment to add to our statement of last week, other than to state that Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Ltd has been served with a claim form by solicitors representing Charles Ingram.

‘‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Ltd has instructed its solicitors and will be defending these proceedings.’’

Last week’s statement from the company confirmed that police were investigating ‘‘apparent irregularities relating to an episode’’ of the hit quiz show.

Transmission of those parts of the show are being postponed until the probe is completed.

Celador set up Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Ltd to administer the prize cash.

Scotland Yard’s special inquiry team was called in after Major Ingram, 38, from Easterton, near Upavon, Wiltshire, won the jackpot prize in a show which has never been screened.

The investigation centred on the sound of coughing from the audience, which the show’s producers noticed after the filming.

It was also believed investigators were looking at mobile phone records of some individuals in the audience.

Celador suspended payment of the £1m prize, which has only been won by two previous contestants on the popular quiz.

Major Ingram, who is married with three daughters, held a news conference after the allegations were made public, where he vehemently denied accusations that he had cheated in any way.

He said: ‘‘I completely and utterly refute these allegations. I didn’t notice any coughing. I can’t say there was no coughing going on but I did not hear or use it to help me.

‘‘My wife was in the audience but there was no other family members, relatives or associates in the audience.’’

Mr Ingram, a major in the Royal Engineers, said he felt his professional reputation had been damaged by the accusations.

His wife Diana and her brother, Adrian Pollock, had both previously won £32,000 on the show earlier in the year.

She has since written a book, Win A Million, on how she and her brother had succeeded on the show.