But while Tarrant does hand over a cheque to winners on-screen, the money was withheld by production company Celador after concerns were raised over the possibility he had cheated.
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It later emerged that accomplice Tecwen Whittock, who was a future contestant, had coughed to indicate correct answers throughout the show.
The former army major was handed a 20-month suspended prison sentence in a crown court trial in 2003. He also became known as the ‘coughing major’ and was forced to resign from his commission.
Whittock and Ingram’s wife, Diana were both given 18-month suspended sentences for their part in the scam.
But Ingram’s bad luck didn’t improve following his conviction. In 2010, he lost three toes on his left foot to his lawnmower.
Neighbours have now said that Ingram, 60, always ‘seems busy’ but they have no idea of what he does for a living.
‘We often see him in the village and out walking with his dog,’ said one villager.
