THE jury in the trial of the Upavon army major accused of cheating to win the jackpot on the TV quiz show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire has been asked to decide whether coincidence or a scam carried the major to the million.

Charles Ingram, his wife Diana and lecturer Tecwen Whittock deny conspiring to win by using a system of coded coughs to direct Ingram to the answers.

As their four-week trial drew to a close, Judge Geoffrey Rivlin told jurors at Southwark Crown Court in London that it was their job to determine whether Ingram walked out of the television studio "a genuine millionaire or a fraudster".

He reminded jurors of the defendants' "glowing" character references.

Army colleagues of Maj Ingram described him as honest, popular, very lively and "a bit of a character".

Part of Maj Ingram's explanation for his appearing to be indecisive in the hot seat, vacillating from one answer to another, was that he wanted his performance to "make good telly".

Workmates of the cougher, Tecwen Whittock, testified that he was respected and liked but was well-known for his constant cough.

Diana Ingram is accused of being the go-between, putting the scheme into action with a series of calls to Whittock. She said their conversations were innocent "chit-chat".

The court heard that the Ingrams have £52,000 of debts, while Whittock owes £37,000, but Maj Ingram said his motivation to "be brave", not to win big money.

No verdict had been reached as the Journal went to press.