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Netflix has just added a nail-biting drama series to its library, which is based on the shocking true events of 2001, when former army major Charles Ingram appeared on the popular quiz show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?.

The Netflix series, which originally aired on ITV, stars Matthew Macfadyen as Charles Ingram and Michael Sheen as game show host Chris Tarrant. Ingram, who had served in the British Army, rose to fame following his appearance on two episodes of the game show, during which he correctly answered 15 questions to win the show's maximum prize.

He was recorded as the third contestant ever to win the £1 million, however, he was denied the prize as he was under suspicion of cheating. As a lengthy trial ensued, it transpired that audience members had coughed to indicate the correct answers to the questions.

While reviewing the recording, the production team for the show made a connection between Ingram's answers and coughs coming from one of the waiting contestants, Tecwen Whittock. For one question in particular, the coughing came from Ingram's wife, Diana, whilst she was in the audience.

All three were accused of cheating, and the matter was handed over to the police, with Whittock and the Ingrams being charged with "procuring the execution of a valuable security by deception".

Following a four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court, all three were given prison sentences, suspended for two years. The Ingrams were sentenced to 18 months, while Whittock was sentenced to 12 months.

They were also each fined £15,000 and ordered to pay £10,000 towards prosecution costs. Two months after the sentence, the trial's judge ordered the Ingrams to pay additional defence costs, which left them paying a total of £115,000.

Since appearing on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, Ingram went on to write two novels - The Network and Deep Siege. He also had a number of other TV appearances, including The Weakest Link and Wife Swap.

In 2010, Ingram was involved in an accident involving a lawnmower, which resulted in him losing three toes on his left foot. The father-of-three told the North Wiltshire and Kennet Gazette & Herald: "I was only wearing Wellingtons and it sliced right through the rubber.

"I remember seeing my big toe lying on the grass and thinking, 'Oh dear'. I got up and managed to shuffle down to the front of the garden."

He continued at the time: "It could have been a lot worse. I am still in pain, and I am only just able to apply pressure to the ball of my foot, but I have not lost my balance."

As of 2010, Ingram runs a computer business. Although he now lives a quieter life, he shared his thoughts on the show Quiz when it first aired back in 2020.

Posting on X, he wrote: "#Quiz. WOW. The cast, the story, the scenes, simply brilliant. Terrifyingly accurate and oh yes, horribly cringeworthy. Floored by the pure talent on show tonight. Well done too to @ITV. Gutsy.

"Matthew [MacFadyen] 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."

Quiz is available to watch on Netflix