Quiz: The Coughing Major Millionaire Scandal starring Rory Bremner is coming to Bromley and Canterbury
Published: 05:00, 28 October 2023
One of the most shocking scandals of noughties television is being recreated for a live audience.
Quiz: The Coughing Major Millionaire Scandal follows game show contestant Charles Ingram as he scammed his way to £1 million.
The incident took place on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, which ran on ITV from 1998 to 2014, and saw former British Army major Charles answer 15 questions correctly to win the show’s jackpot in 2001.
However, producers became suspicious towards the end of Charles’ time on the show and made a connection between his answers and coughing coming from his wife, Diana, in the audience and fellow contestant Tecwen Whittock.
After a four-week legal battle, the three of them were convicted of procuring the execution of a valuable security by deception and denied the cash prize.
The couple has always denied that any conspiracy took place and the real story continues to be considered a mystery.
In 2017, British playwright James Graham first introduced his reimagining of the events in stage show Quiz.
The production moved to the Noël Coward Theatre in London's West End in 2018 and was nominated for two Olivier Awards.
The case was brought back into the public eye in 2020 with a TV adaptation of Quiz, which was broadcast on ITV during the Covid-19 pandemic and starred Michael Sheen.
This latest touring production, which will visit theatres in Bromley and Canterbury, stars comedian Rory Bremner.
The stand-up and impressionist is best known for his early appearances on Mock the Week and the sketch comedy series Bremner, Bird and Fortune and will appear as host Chris Tarrant.
Charley Webb, who played the role of Debbie Dingle in Emmerdale for almost 20 years, also joins the cast as Diana Ingram.
The man in the hot seat will be played by Lewis Reeves, who has starred in hit shows such as I May Destroy You and Unforgotten.
Quiz: The Coughing Major Millionaire Scandal will be at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley from Monday, November 6 to Saturday, November 11. You can book tickets online here or by calling 03433 100020.
The show will also be at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury from Wednesday, November 15 to Saturday, November 18. You can book online here.
You can also book tickets by calling 01227 787787.
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Sam Lawrie