Transgender Taxi driver one step closer to Mars voyage

A transgender taxi driver from Hull is one step closer to relocating on Mars, after being shortlisted for a reality TV programme which will chart the preparations for a permanent move to space.

Melissa Ede made it through to the final 705 candidates for the Mars One project, which plans to build the first human colony on Mars in 11 in years time. More than 200,000 from about 140 countries applied. The winners will get seven years of specialist training which will be filmed for a reality show by the makers of Big Brother. Transgender Melissa (pictured centre) says she would use the experience to promote diversity.