Perfect Pick Me Up: Rory Bremner In Millionaire Coughing Scandal

Satirical impressionist supremo, Rory Bremner, is smashing it as Chris Tarrant in Quiz – a fast paced drama based on the notorious Who Wants to Be A Millionaire ‘Coughing Major’ scandal.

The high-profile scam, which took place in 2001, centred on disgraced army officer, Charles Ingram, who was nicknamed the 'Coughing Major’.

Ingram secured the £1million jackpot after answering 15 questions correctly, aided by his wife Diana and fellow contestant, Tecwen Whittock, (Michael Jibson) who coughed when the correct multiple-choice answers were read out.

In the headline-grabbling, real-life drama, the Ingrams were handed down an 18-month prison sentence which was suspended for two years for cheating and each fined £15,000.

In British playwright James Graham’s version of events the show - directed by Daniel Evans and Seán Linnen - adds a new dimension.

Presenting new evidence, the onus is now on the audience to give their verdict on whether the Ingrams and their accomplice were guilty or not.

Matthew Macfadyen – whose film credits include Mr Darcy in the 2005 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, Anna Karenina and Operation Mincemeat, plays Charles Ingram. Sian Clifford, best known as Claire in BBC comedy Fleabag takes on the role of Diana.

Quiz is only the second drama that Rory Bremner has starred in, the first being Noël Coward’s Relative Values.

The four times Bafta winner has shared how: “Chris says he hates my impression of him, which makes it even more fun!” and relishes playing a character over a whole play as opposed to a short sketch.

He’s also joked that he avoided becoming immersed in the role too soon - apparently because it would be too much for his wife to live with Chris Tarrant for six months!

With celebrated reviews packed with superlatives including ‘utterly compelling’, ‘exuberantly entertaining’ and ‘furiously exciting’ the drama’s storming success - is unquestionable.