Mr Hatch's appearance on Survivor helped spark the US reality TV boom

Richard Hatch, who won $1m (�544,025) on the show in 2000, was indicted by a grand jury in Rhode Island.

Prosecutors claim the motivational speaker failed to declare his prize money from the show as well as about $391,000 (�212,679) from other sources.

Mr Hatch's lawyer previously said CBS should have classed him as an employee and withheld taxes from the winnings.

Ratings hit

Mr Hatch shot to fame in Survivor as one of 16 contestants marooned on the Malaysian island of Pulau Tiga.

More than 50 million people tuned in to the final of the series, which saw contestants try to outwit each other and endure challenges like eating insects and walking on hot coals.

The show helped spark the boom in reality TV in the US.

According to the 10-count indictment, Mr Hatch prepared - but failed to file - tax returns for 2000 which concluded he owed up to $440,000 (�239,278).

It also alleges that he kept $36,500 (�19,848) in personal appearance money given to him for charitable donations.

The money allegedly included $10,000 (�5,437) for an appearance on the US version of The Weakest Link in 2001.

A summons has been issued for Mr Hatch to appear before the US District Court in Providence.