Chris Tarrant says Who Wants To Be A Millionaire cheats are 'guilty as sin'

It was the scandal that shocked the nation, and is now the subject of a high-profile dramatisation, but Chris Tarrant has spoken out about Who Wants To Be A Millionaire cheats who tried to con their way to the ultimate prize.

Major Charles Ingram managed to answer all questions to win £1million on the popular quiz show - but it emerged he did so by cheating, with the help of a friend and his wife Diana.

Now Tarrant has spoken out ahead of the screening of the new series Quiz, which sees Michael Sheen portraying Tarrant, and Matthew Macfadyen and Sian Clifford as the guilty couple.

Read more: See Michael Sheen as Chris Tarrant in ITV's 'coughing major' drama Quiz

Speaking to The Sunday People, Tarrant said: “There is no question that the Ingrams were guilty as sin.”

This is a view a jury agreed to, and the Ingrams, along with pal Tecwen Whittock, were convicted of procuring the execution of a valuable security by ­deception.

They were fined £15,000 each, ordered to pay £10,000 in prosecution costs and given suspended ­prison sentences.

The three-part series appears to humanise the Ingrams and possibly raise questions over their guilt, but Tarrant isn’t best pleased about the show.

The 73-year-old said: “I don’t think it ever really needed to be made. Somebody has got to redress the balance and remind everyone the major actually is a crook and was found guilty by a jury.”

Read more: Michael Sheen describes transforming into Chris Tarrant for cheating drama Quiz

Despite not being convinced by the premise of the show, Tarrant conceded there is one thing he enjoyed - Michael Sheen’s portrayal.

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 ­going, ‘I really do that!’ I’m thrilled and flattered.”

Quiz starts on ITV Easter Monday, 13 April at 9pm. It will run for three episodes, concluding on 15 April.