Quiz: Charles Ingram wants Who Wants to Be a Millionaire rematch

Subject of new drama ‘Quiz’ has been enjoying the spotlight since the show aired on ITV

Charles Ingram has said he wants a rematch on Who Wants to be a Millionaire? after James Graham’s drama aired on ITV.

The former contestant, known as the “Coughing Major”, is the subject of the show that details how he and his wife were arrested after he took home the top prize of £1m in 2001.

The couple was found guilty on a single count of procuring the execution of a valuable security by deception.

They were given suspended prison sentences of almost two years but have consistently denied all cheating allegations.

Quiz, which stars Matthew Macfadyen as Ingram and Michael Sheen as host Chris Tarrant, received positive reviews from critics, including a five-star writeup in The Independent.

Among the show’s fans is Westlife’s Brian McFadden, who tweeted: “Give [Ingram] another chance on the show without a randomly picked audience. See how he does. Now that would be quality television!!!! Charles v millionaire. The re-match.”

Ingram then responded: “Throw in an independent adjudicator for questions and it’s game on. Someone suggested doubling the money too…”

Ingram has tweeted a number of positive things about Quiz since it began on 13 April, calling the show “terrifyingly accurate” and “excruciatingly enjoyable”.

He added that the “attention to detail is unnerving”, and expressed astonishment that producers had managed to find an exact replica of his and Diana’s bed, as well as their old Honda.

Of Macfadyen’s portrayal of him, Ingram said: “Matthew is so damn good-looking I can’t sleep. Trying to kid myself I looked like that 19 years ago but failing miserably. Diana called me ‘Matthew’ as I was brushing my teeth.”

Of real-life original host Chris Tarrant, however, Ingram said he “suffers from delusions of grandeur” in a Twitter rant.

Tarrant, for his part, branded Ingram a "rotter, a cad and a bandit". He recently revealed he has “beef” with the drama, criticising it for suggesting the Ingrams could be innocent.​

Read The Independent's review of Quiz here.