Ananova:

Six reality TV contestants who were filmed wooing a pre-operative transsexual they thought was a woman have received payouts after they threatened to take legal action.

The men decided to take their case to the High Court in an attempt to ban Sky from screening the show after they only learned at the end that Miriam, the object of their desire, was not a woman.

The men have received an undisclosed sum to drop their threat of court action.

Sky has also apologised for "any upset caused" to the contestants, who made a number of allegations against Sky One and production company Brighter Pictures, including conspiracy to sexual assault, defamation, personal injury and breach of contract.

In return, Sky, which had shelved There's Something About Miriam, pending possible legal action, will now transmit the controversial reality show.

It was claimed that the programme, which sees some of the men "get intimate" before discovering that they have been set up, would give a serious insight into the lives of transsexuals.

A statement from Brighter Pictures said the show would would be broadcast later this month.

It said: "Following the concerns recently raised by the contestants in Brighter Pictures production of There's Something About Miriam for Sky One, the parties are pleased to announce that these have been addressed and the matter is now resolved.

"It was never the intention of Brighter Pictures or Sky to upset the contestants and they are sorry for any upset caused. There's Something About Miriam will now be broadcast on Sky One in February."