An East Hull taxi driver is a step closer to embarking on a one-way mission to Mars after beating 40,000 other applicants in the first round of selection for an ambitious reality TV show.
Transsexual Melissa Ede has made it past the initial selection process to take part in the Mars One project, which aims to establish a colony on Mars by 2023.
The hunt for four astronauts to make the seven-month flight was launched in New York last week.
Melissa, 52, who lives off Holderness Road, is one of less than 400 people to be long-listed for the project.
She said: "The idea of living on Mars really fascinates me.
"I feel this is something so different and groundbreaking.
"I would be doing something for mankind to establish a colony on Mars."
Melissa, who lives off Holderness Road, admits it would be a huge decision to leave everything behind.
She said: "I do think about what I'm leaving behind but I think there are more pros than cons in going.
"I look at myself as a dream-maker and hope to inspire others.
"As a transsexual my family disowned me but my friends are quite shocked by it.
"My best friend is sad but she accepts it is a dream of mine."
If Melissa does make it to the final four she would have to embark on seven years of physical and psychological training.
After a successful landing on Mars, the astronauts would grow their own food and live in soil-covered domes for protection from the high radiation. Energy would be generated from solar panels and water recycled and extracted from the soil.
As gravity on the Red Planet is just 38 per cent of that on Earth, the bone density, muscle strength and circulation of pioneers would be affected - making a return home unlikely.
The Dutch-based Mars One project is a brainchild of Big Brother co-creator Paul Römer.
He said: "This can be the biggest media event in the world."
At least £4bn is needed for the scheme but donations have, so far, covered just a fraction of that cost.
• Follow Melissa's application here
