GECs
‘Millionaire’ major guilty of cheating; escapes jail term
MUMBAI: Cough, cough may be alright when one is afflicted with an illness but recent news should make even a pauper think thrice before using it to win big bucks. The year-and-a-half television coughing saga regarding alleged fraud having been committed on the British game show Who Wants To Be a Millionaire has reached a crucial juncture.
Army major Charles Ingram, his wife Diana and Tecwen Whitlock, narrowly escaped spending time in jail after being convicted of cheating.by using coughs as a code. Viewers will recall that the Hindi version of the show Kaun Banega Crorepati hosted by Amitabh Bhachchan aired on Star Plus from June 2000 and proved to be the turning point for Rupert Murdoch’s Star network.
An Independent report states that the Ingram couple were jailed for 18 months, suspended for two years. In terms of finance they have to pay 15,000 in addition to paying 10,000 each towards prosecution costs. The fines have to be paid within three months. The sentences could mean a loss of livelihood for the major who faces an Army administrative investigation which will almost certainly end his 15-year career.
During the episode which took place in September 2001 while the major was participating Whittock who was part of the audience coughed 19 times during the duration thereby indicating to the major that he was on track to bag riches beyond.
In the well thought out plan Whittock was to give illness in the form of hay fever and a dust allergy as the reason for his cough should questions be asked. Ingram deliberately read out each option loudly when faced with each question. When he said the correct option, Whittock, if he knew the answer coughed. Things went sour when Whittock said no in the middle as he was afraid that the major wouldn’t hear his cough. This sound was captured on tape and later on presented as evidence.
Though the show host Chris Tarrant did not detect malpractice at first Celador Productions became suspicious and carefully examined tapes. They also witheld payment of the cheque. There was controversy regarding why Celador used the taxpayers money to file the suit. A cheaper alternative would have been for the company to refuse issuing the cheque and putting the onus of responsibility on the major to prove that he won the money fairly.
Social concerns surrounding the major’s three daughters and Whittock’s four children saved them from spending time behind bars. It took over half a day for the jury to return majority guilty verdicts against Ingram and Whittock,
All is not gloom and doom for the major yet. If the army discharges him and he proved successful in a court of appeal, he would be re-instated and given pay back dated to the day of release, The three of them are said to be considering appealing.
MUMBAI: Lights, camera… connection because this time, the game isn’t just about winning, it’s about who’s with you. Sony Pictures Networks India is gearing up to launch a new reality game show, Tum Ho Naa, expanding its unscripted slate with a format that promises both emotion and engagement.
The show will premiere soon on Sony Entertainment Television and stream on Sony LIV, with Rajeev Khandelwal stepping in as host. Known for his measured screen presence and selective choices, Khandelwal’s return to television adds a layer of familiarity and credibility to the upcoming format.
While specific details of the gameplay remain under wraps, the positioning suggests a reality format that leans as much on emotional resonance as it does on competition, an increasingly popular blend in Indian television, where audiences are gravitating towards content that offers both stakes and storytelling.
Khandelwal, reflecting on his return, noted that his choices have often been guided by instinct rather than convention, describing Tum Ho Naa as a project that feels “close to the heart”. His association also signals Sony’s continued focus on anchoring new formats with recognisable faces who bring both relatability and depth.
The launch comes at a time when broadcasters are doubling down on original non-fiction formats to drive appointment viewing, even as digital platforms expand parallel reach. By placing the show across both linear television and OTT, Sony appears to be aiming for a dual-audience strategy capturing traditional viewers while engaging digital-first consumers.
As the countdown to premiere begins, Tum Ho Naa positions itself not just as another game show, but as a reminder that sometimes, the biggest prize on screen isn’t the jackpot, it’s the journey shared along the way.
