Clarkson & Tarrant On The Coughing Major's Run | Who Wants To Be A Millionaire: A Very Major Scandal

[@oneandonlyjaybee]

The scam was quite clever, just poorly executed. If he hasn't bumbles around saying things like "I have no idea" and "I've never heard of" before making his u-turns made it so obvious. He could have just remained very quiet and subtly gone round the answers without saying anything else, then with the right answer subtly raised his knowledge of the answer. If he'd done that and stopped at £250k he could have got away with it

[@SteRDLK]

It wasn't a scam, he just thought out loud

[@lukeluke7082]

Couldn’t agree more. Saying he has no idea and then knowing. So suspect

[@CitroenC407]

@@SteRDLK there's a clear difference between logically thinking out loud (which a lot of other millionaires did in this show) and dismissing everything immediately, changing your mind over and over again and then picking an answer without really knowing what was going on. Most contestants pinpoint an answer they are sure of by saying "well I know this is true because..." and explain their theory well. Charles didn't do any of that. He kept saying "I haven't heard of that" or "I don't think it's this" without any real reason as to why. Everything was guesswork, driven by the coughs helping him out. He was caught cheating. Blatantly.

[@RKO859]

This guy is an idiot with his big mouth and lack of any knowledge gave it away. If he remained stoic and just answer the questions, and not try to be greedy, maybe stop at 250k he could of maybe pulled it off. But when you try to scam for 1 Million, the producers are already looking into this clown.

[@Joaocruz30]

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[@ronnie1202]

The guy behind the wife couldnt believe she coughed on craig David hahahaha 😂😂😂

[@four-twenty4205]

Pisser 😂

[@alainthibault184]

The look on his wife's face when he says he's never heard of Craig David lol

[@BossySwan]

Should have asked him on a Monday, he’d have forgotten by Wednesday

[@Lesley-Ann2018sux]

I think Craig David came into the charts round about that time

[@scttm79]

This proves he is innocent

[@R.S_Howell]

She probably was a massive fan of Bo Selecta and he feigned interest when it was on telly

[@julienfroidevaux1143]

The audience laughing at the coughs , they knew what was going on 😂

[@lewdogzombies]

Charles should’ve walked away at £125k or £250k but his greed got the better of him. A man’s legacy ruined by greed

[@9k49]

If they stopped at £125,000 and if the scam was executed better, I think they could’ve gotten away with it. But no chance with the way it was done

[@gordons-alive4940]

I don't think he's the brightest bulb. He's not very good at fraud anyway. At one point he was convinced he had the right answer, so he didn't bother going through the others, so his partner in crime had to cough a "no". LOL.

[@Onmysheet]

​@@gordons-alive4940Even if you feel confident on an answer don't gamble on it. Use what they planned with.

[@markymark443]

Exactly

[@nordicgaming2572]

He still denies it btw. 20+ years later and he still won't admit it even tho anyone with half a brain cell knows he was cheating.

[@sanderholvik9650]

He should never had said. I have "Never heard of Craig David." If it was not obvious he was cheating already. He definitely made it obvious by saying that.

[@markymark443]

I think it was most obvious on the last two questions. If he stopped at £250,000 I think he’d have gotten away with it.

[@traviswalker4126]

The wifes cough was so ridiculous

[@michaeldevaney5728]

He made a total hames out of it

[@thesmithersy]

There is something they neglected to mention here that was brought up in the trial report. This was indeed the only question he claimed he had outside help on but it wasn't from the coughing. Apparently the audience gasped loudly when he said he was going to give A1 as the answer so he took that as a cue that he was wrong.

[@CzechMirco]

Which is another lie from him. Why would audience that is specifically instructed to not give any clue to the contestants gasp loudly specifically with this guy and at a measly 32k question? Nonsense, they would have been fined for doing so and it has never happened with anyone else even at questions for much more money.

[@Daruudes]

@@CzechMirco I kind of believe him. At this point in WWTBAM you didn't have to say 'final answer' to finalise your answer, which he didn't do for multiple questions before. When he says he's going to go for A1 he looked like he was locking it in with conviction but Tarrant didn't accept it like he did previously

[@thefirespecialist9007]

If i was sitting beside her, id have coughed on the wrong answers.

[@markymark443]

You probably wouldn’t have known just like all the other people sitting there. It only became obvious after analyzing the tapes after the fact. Sure it was suspicious, but nothing was known for certain at the time.

[@Emily967]

I still can’t get my head around the audacity of it all. It was so basic and yet so bold whilst being utterly implausible at the same time. How the hell did he know which cough was the right cough it’s bizarre to me

[@markymark443]

I’m guessing he knew where the friend was sitting and he listened for coughs specifically from that direction.

[@gusgoof358]

Because almost all the coughs are from his fellow scammers

[@jfj7452]

The coughing was so obvious & irritating. Pity the person sitting close. But oh gosh, many would easily answer that million-pound question!

[@PointNemo9]

The sound was enhanced for the video, on the original broadcast the coughing was barely noticeable.

[@SteRDLK]

@@PointNemo9 Plus there were 190 coughs recorded throughout the broadcast

[@WaveForceful]

@@SteRDLK It wasn't even the coughing that initially arose suspicion, it was his odd behaviour and the fact he flip flopped his answers and gave no reason as to why. Upon review, the production team noticed that his decisions coincided with a cough. Even two of the other FFF during Ingrams time in the hot seat noticed that techwin was cough to his answers.

[@cktan8129]

@@WaveForceful Well said!

[@SteRDLK]

@@WaveForceful Which answers did he flip-flop. A question about pop culture, which he did explain as being a total guess. Two of the other FFF noticed for a documentary. One of them was a white supremacist who failed miserably

[@sm0g-810]

When Chris tarrant explains the majors line of thinking. Right after the break, he sounds a bit like hes the prosecution in court explaining this

[@andypalin3287]

Her expression on camera is the giveaway! 😉

[@capjus]

At 1:37 the guy notices the cheating and can't bear

[@lauran3244]

You are so right!

[@markymark443]

I never saw that until now lol, yea it was pretty suspicious but they didn’t know anything for sure at the time (as we do know)

[@Man-From-Another-Place]

Someone in another comments section claims that guy was identified and he believes that the Ingrams are innocent. He was just reacting like that because he noticed he was on camera.

[@capjus]

@@Man-From-Another-Place oh thanks for the info :)

[@Man-From-Another-Place]

@@capjus You're welcome - whether that's true, though, I don't know.

[@nhlover]

He kept talking too much so the things he was saying made him suspicious too.

[@59771006]

4:05 His name is Ingram and he’s talking about a guy who’s surname is Ingram

[@billywhitewolf]

Charles only got this one probably because he heard no coughs when he kept saying A1 but picked up the 2 noticeably audible coughs (from his wife) when he said Craig David. When he said I'm going to go with A1 and didn't hear a cough that's when he realised its probably Craig David. Either way it was a gamble.

[@ishowinertia]

Ya dont say

[@BossySwan]

A1, well known for their hit Great North Road.

[@whowantstobeamillionairemo4136]

2:59 now I Craig David

[@Robi2009]

1:42 - guy behind her knew :D

[@EtSlagFisse]

I think all the 4 people behind her realised, the way they look at eachother and the dude laughing after she coughs

[@marlowemarlowe4893]

3:03 Exactly. He was a buffoon. Why did he say that? He didn't have to say that. It made going for Craig David as the answer very suspicious. I actually think the plan to cheat could have worked with the right person in the chair.

[@frasergibson5763]

1:41, even the audience knew what was going on

[@59771006]

Surely the fact that he says he’s never heard of Craig David and then he goes ahead and locks in Craig David must have been enough to set alarm bells off behind the scenes

[@michaeldevaney5728]

Exactly yu are totally correct

[@gordons-alive4940]

It did. I just watched an hour long documentary about it. At one point he thinks he got an answer right on his own, so his partner in crime had to cough a "no" to get him to move off it. He was pretty inept.

[@S.Trades]

And it did.

[@markymark443]

I think the smoking gun was his behaviour on the half million and one million pound questions

[@paulrogers1714]

@D Yes but he could have said which I think he did.....that he had heard of AI and that he knew they wouldn't have sang that so it had to be Craig David.

[@foxmccloud7055]

The difference between Michael Larson and Charles Ingram is that Michael got his $110,237 and Charles got publicly humiliated and shamed.

[@Onmysheet]

But Larson didn't cheat. He analysed a pattern on the poor design of the board, and took advantage of that. He beat the game at it's own game.

[@benbastianiartmusic1421]

They could have gotten away with it if they arranged the coughing in a more subtle way. If the answer is A, cough on B, if the answer is B, cough on A etc. Probably wouldn't have been picked up.

[@Jose.AFT.Saddul]

That’s what they were doing. But for this question the guy didn’t cough because he probably didn’t know the answer. The wife had to step in so they could atleast make it to 32k which is a safe point meaning even if he losses afterwards the 33k is guaranteed. If you look at the wife’s reaction she looks really frustrated that he continues all the way to the million pound question. Which made him look much more suspicious.

[@cktan8129]

@@Jose.AFT.Saddul Well said.

[@59771006]

@@Jose.AFT.Saddul Actually it’s not what they did the cough would happen anytime Charles mentioned the correct answer to a question

[@Jose.AFT.Saddul]

@@59771006 Yes but for this question. the guy they collaborated with Tecwen Whittock didnt cough and was silent probably because he didnt know the answer. instead it was the wife that coughed.

[@9k49]

They should’ve found a system where Charles didn’t have to read out all the answers

[@Da1Dez]

I wonder if Charles has ever listened to Born To Do It since this episode was recorded?

[@Marjopolo302]

In Jail

[@benjimanlee]

It’s pretty obvious watching her cough

[@112sje]

Look at Diana's coughs when he was sure it was A1 and the grin on her face at 3.50 before Chris even told him he was right with Craig David !

[@PortlandMan]

"I don't think I'll be doing that again!" Even though this is exactly what he did on the million pound question as well lol

[@kaialgedage]

Good thing they record this to watch it again and realize the scam of coughing 😅

[@chriscravens4915]

When tech was in the hotseat he didn’t get that far, so how did he help Charles to cheat??

[@WaveForceful]

You literally answered your own question and you dont even realise it. Think about it more. Tech made a deal with them which was likely a 3 way split, he clearly threw his own turn to try and remove any suspicion he was helping them.

[@SteRDLK]

@@WaveForceful Why even get the fastest finger first right?

[@WaveForceful]

@@SteRDLK Not sure but again, likely to throw off his involvement.

[@SteRDLK]

@@WaveForceful It should throw off his involvement by having a long-term medical condition

[@WaveForceful]

@@SteRDLK But the fact he decided to get in the hot seat and throw his game should make people believe exactly what you are now. "There is no way he could be involved because he only got 1k". His medical condition was also presented in court, but it was dismissed as it could be used against Techwin as he could have been hiding behind it.

[@cjgreen9530]

The dumbest winner did he think people will believe he won on pure luck for 15 questions 😅

[@kodaph]

Those side comments of his, lead him his own demise .. Imagine not knowing or not hearing anything/anyone at all yet, by a cough, there's this validation to that particular answer. Poor execution.

[@terrell112]

Craig David- Feel me in was a banger here in America lads.

[@anhdang2713]

He don’t know ! He waiting some one cough! Clever guy

[@Dim4323]

Simply He wouldnt know who craig david was cause he was in the service

[@seanatkinson770]

Yes a 'Major'(cock up) in the British Army who had never heard of the river Foyle in Northern Ireland .

[@Onmysheet]

Same with Coronation Street. If you don't watch TV you don't know it.

[@mattg5216]

You can definitely hear the audience gasp. That’s the cue that that was the wrong answer. That is not not cheating.

[@BossySwan]

*_I’ve never heard of Craig David_*

[@chriscravens4915]

Charles: mega mega mega…..rflmao….

[@infidel-catto]

Chris Tarrant could have asked “final answer?” and there would have been no cough, but Chris kept it going for a long time. How was she to know how many times Chris was going to string it out? Clearly the coughing accusation falls flat.

[@James-em9qz]

Please answer this comment...the gentleman at 01:40...bro-you knew what she was up to!!!!!!!

[@bengibson3298]

Even though I don't endorse cheating on a game show, I thought this was a good scheme; them going further in the game and not stopping earlier before the producers got wind of what's going on is what led them to their downfall.

[@Roughrider77]

Poor use of tactics, obvious body language, and the unnatural emotions / acting feel to it have it away quite easily. People say he would have gotten away with it at the £250,00 mark. In all intents and purposes, doubts should have raised way before half way though the 20 questions!. Better tactics, and to act as naturally as possible would have seen him got through all 20 questions without without any concerns raised!. He already had 2 accomplices to help him out which meant he had done the hard work in planning, but the execution, my god, even I know as a terrific drama lessons which I studied at school, I would have gotten away with it to bag the 1 million prize!.

[@markymark443]

A) there’s only 15 questions, not 20 B) suspicions alone are not enough to convict someone. There has to be proof beyond reasonable doubt. Just like how you can’t convict someone of murder just based on circumstantial evidence alone. The half million and one million pound questions were the smoking gun in this case

[@thestewozshow7042]

So he relied on his wife somewhere in the audience, that has no idea about music to give the cough. She herself when on the show, had to phone a friend for an easy music question. You've been fooled guys but not from who you think.

[@purpleplantain374]

so the wife knew all the answers?

[@jfj7452]

The real correct answers came from college lecturer, Tecwen Whittock (recorded as coughing upon the right answers). He, also a contestant in the Fastest Finger round when James was in the hot seat. The wife was in contact with him the nite before & the morning of the taping; knowing very well he could help. For his part (brilliant answers/coughing) he was eventually fined £10,000. It was fellow contestant, Larry Whitehurst, who witnessed clearly the coughing across the studio. He saw Tecwen coughing each time the correct answer was read out. He was seen not clapping when the million-pound winner was declared. Complaint made by him led to the investigation. What a dramatic scandal.

[@SteRDLK]

@@jfj7452 No, Tecwen Whittock didn't cough 192 times, that was the total recorded during the recording of the broadcast.

[@cktan8129]

@@SteRDLK Tks for your info. Jene & I read it elsewhere, just quote what's been said. U r right. He didn't cough that many times but anyway, it was his odd & unprofessional way in providing his ultimate answers that startled everyone. Good day to u.

[@SteRDLK]

@@cktan8129 Odd but not illegal, he just had a different train of thought than most contestants

[@markymark443]

@@jfj7452the irony that despite knowing all those answers for Charles, when Tecwin himself was in the hot seat he only won £1,000 😂

[@nannasmor]

I never heard of it so after cough it must be the right answer cheating

[@TheQ-Continuum]

"Tarrant" I've no idea how you did it" - He cheated !!

[@paulmoran3482]

Guilty as 🤬

[@benwhitmore7885]

I wonder how many people have Lost cheating in a similar way 🤣

[@dylanzalman8452]

Why didn't his wife apply instead?

[@StellifyMedia]

His wife had already been on the show

[@jfj7452]

The correct answers were from Tecwen Whittock; a contestant in the Fastest Finger 1st Round.

[@scttm79]

I thought Tom Lucy help Tecwen gave him few answers so he could help and cough correct for Charles

[@cktan8129]

@@scttm79 Tecwen, a brilliant college lecturer, was eventually fined £10,000 for his coughing (upon the correct answers). Charles' wife was in contact with him prior to the finale; knowing he's smart. scttm, good day!

[@PointNemo9]

@@jfj7452 I think Whittock got the answers from someone outside rather than happenings to know them all.

[@thefirespecialist9007]

Honestly, the man just talked to much. Gave himself away. Especially with The Craig David question.

[@jamesandmikey32]

His acting is too good I was convinced!

[@ER1CwC]

The guy went on to lose a toe in his front yard. Look it up!

[@sarabrown3821]

He should've been locked up

[@jamesrussel1133]

They still both deny it. Publicly came out to deny it whilst at the same time promoting a book his wife had just written about it. He was convicted for a completely different fraud some time later. Yes Charles, we believe you are so honest and innocent…lol😂

[@KehoeDavid]

He was an out and out cheat

[@claresinnott3163]

To me they are guilty

[@telabib]

The phoney cough

[@Genehunt7]

Guilty….it was obvious it was a scam….cough cough…

[@Kacper-yw5pb]

scandal is on any show

[@Atif_Saleem]

When he said he's gonna go for A1 why would you ask him final answer?

[@justthatgamergirl1]

He has to say ‘final answer’ to lock it in

[@chimaamanambu6067]

That would not fly in the COVID world.