One of the most successful quiz shows of recent times is, undoubtedly, Who Wants to Be A Millionaire? 

The simple format of the ITV show has drawn millions of viewers over the years, and the show has been sold all over the world to various TV networks.

It started out in September 1998 and since then six contestants have won the jackpot prize of one million pounds.

But in September 2000 the show was hit by the revelations that a contestant cheated his way to the top prize.

Major Charles Ingram, his wife Diana and fellow contestant Tecwen Whittock, were accused of cheating the show.

Everyone knows the story of the ‘coughing’ throughout the show while Charles was in the chair and was floundering to pick the correct answers - the coughs were provided by Tecwen and Diana.

But the story isn’t as simple as people remember. Behind the main characters of Charles, Diana, and Tecwen, there was a ‘syndicate’ of a vast network of pub quiz fans who tried to hack into the show, and were very successful in getting their members into the famous chair.

Diana’s brother Adrian and Diana herself had also previously been on the show and scooped £32,000 each.

It is this back story and what happened during the show and subsequent trial of the Ingrams and Whittock which is the premise for ‘Quiz’ currently on stage at The Lowry Theatre in Salford. 

Quiz delves into how the Ingrams managed to appear on the show and how they ‘cheated’ the show of its top prize - which was never given to them - and the court case following the charges.

Rory Bremner plays the role of quizmaster Chris Tarrant and he has the voice and mannerisms down to a tee.

Charles is played by Lewis Reeves and he comes across as a naive character, who is manipulated by his wife Diana, played to perfection by Charley Webb - who used to play Debbie Dingle in Emmerdale.

Diana is certainly the brains behind the operation and it is her that pushes for Charles to appear on the show, following previous stints by herself and her brother, played by Jay Taylor, who devises a machine so they can practise their ‘fastest finger first’ in the early round of the show.

TV veteran Mark Benton plays an array of characters, including the judge and David Liddiment, the director of programmes at ITV.

It is also interesting to see the early efforts of Paul Smith, played by Stephan Adegbola, as her tries to get his idea for the show off the ground.

The show is staged on a set which flips from TV studio to court room and it is done effortlessly.

The audience are even involved and are given keypads to vote on questions throughout the show (ask the audience).

The whole show is slick, funny and unique. The time seemed to fly by. Listening to murmurings from the audience around me, they all enjoyed it. It certainly makes you think about what goes on behind the scenes of a TV quiz show.

Quiz runs until Saturday, October 28.