QUIZ, ITV’s hit adaptation of the “coughing major” scandal left many viewers wondering if Charles Ingram might have been innocent after all . . . but not Jeremy Clarkson.
The drama has divided the nation but the current host of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? has no doubts that the former contestant conned his way to the £1million jackpot back in 2001.
In a YouTube Live clip on his DriveTribe channel, Jeremy was asked if he had tuned in — and for his verdict on Ingram.
The Sun columnist and host of The Grand Tour said: “I love Quiz. Guilty as sin, just so you know. Guilty.”
He went on to praise Helen McCrory‘s performance as Ingram’s lawyer in the drama’s tense courtroom scenes.
Jeremy said: “I know the defence attorney right at the end was extremely convincing — or the actress who was playing the defence attorney.
“I thought it was tremendous. If you haven’t seen it, do. Really, it’s worth a watch. I thought it was a tremendous job.”
Jeremy praised the stage version of the story too, likewise penned by playwright James Graham.
He said: “They did the same and they actually got the audience to vote.
“So they did the whole thing — ‘Yeah, you’re definitely guilty’ — and the audience voted. And then you saw it from the other side and then you were asked to vote again.
“It was interesting to watch how many people changed their mind. It was clever.”
The drama aired just as Charles last week launched a fresh appeal against his 2003 fraud conviction.
And Quiz’s writer says he plans to knock out a sequel if the major ends up back in court.
Ingram’s wife Diana and college lecturer Tecwen Whittock were also found guilty of the deception.
They were accused of strategically coughing during Ingram’s stint on the show to help him choose the correct answers.
Quiz was a resounding success, with actor Michael Sheen praised for his performance in the three-part drama as Millionaire’s then-host Chris Tarrant.
Michael, who is best known for playing real-life figures ranging from ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair to footie boss Brian Clough and telly legend David Frost, admitted he enjoyed the quiz scenes so much, he now has an eye on Jeremy’s hosting gig.
Good luck with that one.
WHAT? Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, C4, 9pm.
WHY? A dozen more stars are put through their paces by instructor Ant Middleton and co. The line-up includes Joey Essex and Helen Skelton.
MASKED Singer host Joel Dommett is often seen goofing around with wife Hannah Cooper on Instagram.
But she has taken things a step further after he drafted in Hannah as his assistant on ITV2 quarantine show Home Alone With Joel Dommett . . . turning Joel into a redhead.
The couple, shown recreating a festival in their garden on last night’s show, had a hair tutorial from Love Island pal Kem Cetinay before Hannah got creative with Joel’s barnet.
He said: “I pride myself on having pretty, luscious locks and she really chopped at it. She bleached it and now it’s fully ginger.
“It didn’t go the shade we wanted. Needless to say, I didn’t tip her.”
CHRISTINE McGuinness says two out of her three autistic children, whose father is TV host Paddy McGuinness, aren’t eating because they will only eat certain foods – and she can’t get them while in lockdown.
IT is the story viewers of Killing Eve want to see reach a romantic conclusion.
But star Sandra Oh insists her character and assassin Villanelle will NEVER get together.
Sandra plays MI6 agent Eve Polastri in the hugely popular thriller, which returned to BBC1 last night for a third series.
And she believes the show depends on her character not hooking up with her murderous nemesis, played by Jodie Comer.
The Golden Globe winner said: “I think that’s what makes great drama. I think that’s what makes great romance. It’s the yearning that brings people in.
“It’s that dramatic storytelling. It’s based on desire and yearning.”
Sorry to break it to anyone yearning for the show to reach a steamy climax.
TWO Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps star Will Mellor revealed on Twitter that his dad Bill died last week.
He tearfully said: “It’s horrendous. What do you do when you lose your hero?’ Will said it wasn’t due to coronavirus.
ACTING couple Keeley Hawes and Matthew Macfadyen are passing the time at home playing Come Dine With Me.
She has admitted tuning in to the C4 show to unwind after stressful roles, while hubby Matthew – fresh from playing cheat Charles Ingram in ITV’s Quiz – says cook-offs have saved them from lockdown boredom.
Speaking on a Bafta Q&A session about Quiz, Matthew said: “We did have a family Come Dine With Me.
“That’s the most creative thing we’ve done. I lost, infuriatingly.”
At least he didn’t cheat.
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