Charles Ingram is a British fraudster and former British army major who became widely recognized for his controversial appearance on the ITV game show. Who wants to become a millionaire? In September 2001, he answered 15 questions correctly to win the show’s £1 million maximum prize.
However, his victory was overshadowed by accusations of cheating. The subsequent scandal attracted public attention and led to a high-profile trial, which ultimately resulted in Ingram being convicted of fraud.
File
- Full name: Charles William Ingram
- Date of birth: August 6, 1963
- Age: 60 years old
- Gender: Male
- Place of birth: England
- Nationality: English
- Occupation: Fraudster, Novelist, Former Army Major
- Height: Not applicable
- Parents: Not applicable
- Siblings: Not applicable
- Spouse: Diana Ingram
- Children: Jessica Ingram, Charlotte Ingram and Emily Ingram
- Relationship status: Married
- Religion: Not applicable
- Ethnicity: White/Caucasian
- Net worth: £500,000
Early life and education
Charles Ingram is now 60 years old. He was born on August 6, 1963 in England. Information about his parents and siblings is not publicly available. Ingram attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, where he trained to serve in the British Army. He graduated and was appointed as an officer in the Royal Engineers in 1987.
He then pursued a master’s degree in business management at Cranfield University, graduating in August 2000. Throughout his studies and military career, he focused on leadership skills. director and manager which later played a key role in his infamous game show appearance.
Personal life
Charles Ingram was married to Diana Ingram. The couple met before he became famous and have three daughters together: Jessica Ingram, Charlotte Ingram and Emily Ingram. Their relationship was tested by public scrutiny following a cheating scandal. Although there are no reports of divorce or infidelity, their lives have changed dramatically since the trial and its aftermath.
Career
Ingram’s career began in the British Army, where he served with distinction as an officer in the Royal Engineers. He achieved the rank of major before joining the army. Who wants to become a millionaire? The scandal brought his military career to an abrupt end.
His appearance on the show was initially considered a triumph; however, it quickly turns into a cautionary tale about ambition gone bad. After being convicted of fraud, he tried to maintain his popularity by participating in various reality shows but eventually faded from public view.
Net worth
Charles Ingram’s net worth is estimated to be around £500,000. This figure reflects his previous military career and any earnings from appearances on television shows following his infamous game show incident.
Argumentative
The controversy surrounding Charles Ingram largely stems from his appearance on Who wants to become a millionaire? During his time on the show in September 2001, he became the third contestant to answer all 15 questions correctly for a prize of £1 million. However, doubts have arisen about how he achieved this feat. Viewers noticed unusual behavior in his responses; he seems to guess right too often.
Investigations revealed that Ingram devised a plan involving the coughing fits of his wife Diana and a friend sitting in the audience. They would cough as he read out the correct answer, gesturing to him without attracting attention. This secret communication raised red flags for producers who reviewed the footage after the show aired.
In April 2003, after a four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court, Charles and Diana were convicted along with Tecwen Whittock, another contestant involved in the plot. They received suspended prison sentences—Charles for eighteen months—and were fined £15,000 each with additional costs causing financial strain.
After his conviction, Charles was ordered by the Army Council to resign as major after sixteen years of service. The fallout from this incident seriously affected his personal and professional life. The media frenzy surrounding their trial and conviction led to public vilification; many people see him as a symbol of deception.
In the years that followed, Charles tried to rebuild his life but faced ongoing challenges related to bankruptcy and financial instability. Reports indicate that he has declared bankruptcy several times since the scandal. Despite these setbacks, he occasionally appeared at reality television-related events but largely withdrew from public life.
Social Media
- Instagram: Not applicable
- Twitter: Not applicable
