HITS BACK AT NEW DRAMA
MAJOR STAR IN QUIZ QUANDARY
going through the tapes before they were handed over to the police, who arrested Ingram.
Before that, ITV had called the major to tell him his cheque had been cancelled. Chris said his reaction was that of a man who knew it was coming.
In 2003, the Ingrams and Whittock were convicted by a jury for procuring the execution of a valuable security by deception. They were given suspended prison sentences, fined £15,000 each and ordered to pay £10,000 in prosecution costs. The Ingrams, who were also hit with additional costs, had to pay £115,000 in total.
Journalist Martin Bashir’s documentary about the case was shown after the trial – ironically, the first ad during the break was for Benylin cough medicine.
In Quiz, Matthew Macfadyen plays Ingram, now 56, and Fleabag’s Sian Clifford is his wife. It explores the possibility that Ingram may have been innocent. Writer James Graham said: “He was painted in the press as an idiot – someone who couldn’t have possibly known the answers to those questions.
“But you forget he has a degree in engineering and applied to be accepted into Mensa and succeeded, putting him in the top two per cent of IQS in the country.”
Cheating
Helen Mccrory, who also features in the ITV drama as the defence QC, said: “Chris Tarrant didn’t hear the cough, people either side didn’t hear the cough, yet for some reason [Ingram] heard the cough. I mean, really?
“Now maybe he did, maybe it was a complete set up. But
THE actor who plays Charles Ingram in Quiz is still in two minds about the convicted cheat’s guilt or innocence.
Succession actor
Matthew Macfadyen admits he remains undecided about the major.
Matthew, 45, said:“i’m in two minds as to the guilt of Charles and Diana Ingram or their innocence.
“What is certain is that Charles Ingram is a clever man. I haven’t come to a conclusion about whether they are guilty or not. I didn’t know what to think by the end.” Matthew had to meet the couple to help him prepare for the role and said he was maybe he didn’t.” Chris thinks the series is flawed, however.
He said: “They do not use the prosecution sum-up at all, which would never happen in any court of law. I think that is cheating and that is bending the rules.
“There’s another ridiculous thing right at the very end when the credits come up.
“It says, ‘The Major and Diana are considering an appeal’, and you think, it was 19 bloody years ago, there is no way!”
But Chris, who is played by Michael Sheen in the show, is a big fan of his performance.
He said: “He does a very good portrayal of me. His voice is spot on. Also, the things he does with his body mannerisms and the way I stand. I’m watching it struck by their bond and obvious love for each other.
He said: “I found it quite affecting as a love story – they have stuck together through this experience.”
Although he is not a quiz show fan himself, Matthew said he felt the pressure of being in the Millionaire hotseat immediately.
“No acting was required because you are under the lights feeling all of that fear real contestants would have felt.
Weird
“Sitting in the chair itself was great, although it wasn’t very comfortable.
“It was so weird sitting opposite Michael Sheen as Chris Tarrant in that studio.
“The first scene we actually shot was where Chris Tarrant was in the witness box at the trial and we are in the dock.
“Michael was so good in the role. I hadn’t seen him for a while but we’ve known each other since I was at drama school.
“We did Frost/nixon together in 2008, so it was very nice to be reunited with Michael on this.” going, ‘I really do that!’ I’m thrilled and flattered.
“He is not one of the usual impressionists who always go, ‘Hello, Chris Tarrant here. Haha. Tee-hee’. Rory Bremner and Bobby Davro do it. “Even my son does it on the radio.”
Chris hosted Millionaire for 16 years until 2014.
Former Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson took the job in 2018 but Chris admits he did not watch it – and hates the celebrity version, which is on TV tonight.
He said: “It sounds awful and it is nothing to do with Jeremy Clarkson, but I preferred it when a lady was desperate to win £8,000.”
Quiz, tomorrow, ITV, 9pm.