Hackers don't want to be millionaires says TV company

The producers of the ITV quiz show 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire?' have denied reports that crafty computer hackers tried to break into their central computers to steal the show's questions and answers.

According to the News of the World, a gang of malicious computer criminals recently attempted to not only steal the questions used on the programme but also rig the random contestant selection process to ensure they got on the show.

The News of the World said in its report that the hackers' exploits was uncovered days ago. Quoting a "TV insider" the story said: "This whole thing has caused a real storm. Someone was trying to rig the biggest show on TV. It was a thoroughly audacious plot to get on the show knowing all the answers."

A spokesman from Freud productions, the television company that produces the fabulously popular game show for Carlton, is however, perplexed by these claims. "It is all untrue," he told ZDNet. "No footprint was ever found by so-called computer experts. Nothing like that happened. As far as we know there wasn't even an attempt to break in."

Who Wants to be a Millionaire? is presented by cheeky quizmaster Chris Tarrant and is the most successful programme on British television with a regular 14 million viewers. No-one has ever won the million pound jackpot since the show started in 1998. The first instalment of the new series of the live television programme was broadcast on Sunday night. One contestant won £500,000.