Charles Ingram (born 6 August 1963) is an English former British Army major and television personality. He is best known for his appearances on the British quiz show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, which he controversially won in 2001.
Ingram was born in Winchester, Hampshire, England, and was educated at the independent preparatory school Dauntsey's School in Wiltshire. He joined the British Army in 1983, aged 19, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant with the Royal Engineers. Ingram rose to the rank of major before leaving the army in 2001, just prior to the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? incident.
In 2001, Ingram became a contestant on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?. During the course of the show, Ingram answered all 15 questions correctly and became the first contestant to win the top prize of one million pounds. However, Ingram was later accused of cheating, as it was alleged that his wife and another accomplice were signalling the correct answers to him by coughing.
The allegations were investigated and Ingram, his wife and the other accomplice were put on trial at the Old Bailey in April 2003, charged with procuring the execution of a valuable security by deception. All three were found guilty and sentenced to suspended jail terms. Ingram was also stripped of his winnings and disqualified from future participation in the show.
Despite the controversy, Ingram has continued to appear in television shows and is a regular on the British celebrity circuit. He has also written several books about his experiences. In 2007, he released a memoir, The Answer Lies Within, which documents his life story and the events surrounding the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? scandal.
Charles Ingram remains a controversial figure in British media. However, his experience has taught him valuable lessons and he continues to be a vocal advocate for fairness and transparency in television game shows.
