I remember this from 20 years ago. They were definitely catfishing.
It's also interesting that it was shortly before Nadia won Big Brother. They fared better as they were honest/open/funny and unapologetic about who they were from the start.
This kind of cruel reveal was similar to the Space Cadets show where the finalists felt duped. Josh Must Win recently made me feel uncomfortable also for its reveal, although the guy in question insists he's fine.
TSAM is a strange one because Toby suspected straight away and had told the others. All six contestants, as well as being given the open-mindedness survey, had been prewarned there'd be a reveal so were on the lookout for a twist.
That doesn't mean they ought to have been catfished - the lawsuit was more than fair - but it doesn't mean they were all in the dark: "Several of them wondered about me in the first few days."
The producers had chosen men, four of whom were "boys' boys". The Loaded/Nuts/Stag do type vibe there was strong.
In terms of the contestants, who'll all be 42-48 now...
Toby we saw on screen, first eliminated as had guessed correctly
Dominic had been a Royal Marine and had said, "You still think she's a man?"
Mark was interviewed a few years ago, as part of an exhibition about reality TV ruining his life
Aron (also seen on screen) confirmed Toby knew. Aron wasn't as upset as Tom/Scott at first, as the interactions had been platonic/romantic/chaste as far as he was concerned. He had liked her. Came 3rd. Regretted Miriam as collateral damage/domino effect.
Scott was the martial arts expert, who was said to be smitten. He was pacing then raging, smashed the set up and chased the director round the pool. Came 2nd.
The winner Tom was the interesting one. He was billed as lifeguard/ex ski-instructor but was actually a budding ACTOR. He said he did fancy her and no one could tell. But in another interview he said that the idea they all fancied her was in the edit and that in truth, she was annoying.
He was in it to win it, the money as an incentive but was furious (after 18 days of challenges) that "he (Miriam) didn't have the right to deceive them." I think that reaction was fair as he had been the most intimate with her. However, when he was upset and crying, he'd said he "can't be a gay actor", and was more upset about what the impact on his career would be.
(He has had a small one. You'll find him on IMDb, just not mentioning this).
They never saw Miriam again.
It was reported that the lawsuit paid them £125k each in compensation but Aron stated it was in fact £500k "no win no fee" - so 50% went to the lawyer and they split the rest, ending up with about £41 000/50k each.
Even though Aron said it had been (for him at least) only a peck, lawyers went with conspiracy to sexual assault to try to get them the best pay out they could - given the lack of consent.
As far as I know, Tim Vincent has never commented on his appearance.
“These heroic guys have no idea that Miriam is as much Steve as Eve. As much Arthur as Martha. From the waist down, she’s a man.”