A British army major, his wife and a friend appeared in a British court today accused of cheating their way to the jackpot on the TV quiz show Who Wants to be a Millionaire?.
Major Charles Ingram, (39), wife Diana (38), and lecturer Tecwen Whittock (52) deny the charges.
The judge at Southwark Crown Court adjourned the trial until Wednesday to allow prosecution and defence to take into account an expert's report.
The trio were arrested in November 2001 after the programme makers Celador Productions became suspicious that Mr Ingram had been helped to win the jackpot and called in Scotland Yard's Special Inquiry Team.
The show featuring Mr Ingram being presented with the £1 million sterling cheque, recorded in September 2001, has never been broadcast.
Maj Ingram and his wife deny charges of conspiracy and "procuring the execution of a valuable security by deception".
Mr Ingram has started legal action to recover the money, which was withheld by the programme makers after the show. Millionaire, hosted in Britain by Chris Tarrant, started started, over 50 people around the world have managed to claim the top prize.
Three Britons have managed the feat: garden designer Ms Judith Keppel was first in November 2000, followed by teacher Mr David Edwards in April 2001 and unemployed banker Mr Robert Brydges in September 2001.