Guo Degang, a famous Chinese crosstalk performer, has escaped from a lawsuit over false claims he made in an advertisement for a "diet" tea thanks to his timely expression of regret, Beijing Times reported on Tuesday.

The Chongwen District People's Court in the Chinese capital accepted the plaintiff's request to withdraw an accusation against Guo on Monday.

Wang Litang, a consumer of the "diet" tea, said the two negotiations with Guo before the court session on Saturday were successful as "he has realized his wrong behavior."

Guo advertised Zang Mi Pai You, or Tibetan Secret Fat-Elimination Tea, and was reported to have been paid two million yuan (US$261,557) for the promotion.

In the advertisement, Guo said he had lost three kilograms since he began drinking the "miraculous Tibetan tea."

However, in a written agreement with Wang, Guo said he "respected" Wang's accusation and accepted he had made an "illegal promotion" for the tea.

Chinese laws and regulations ban famous people from promoting health care products under the guise of being an ordinary consumer.

Guo said in the agreement that he has learnt from the lawsuit.

Wang Hai, Guo's agent, told the newspaper on Monday that watchdog last March demanded "Zang Mi Pai You" be removed from pharmacies in Beijing and Guo's promotion contract with the company had expired automatically.

Guo is facing the same accusation in another district court of the city, according to Xinhua News Agency.

The plaintiff surnamed Zhang, is claiming she was cheated by Guo.

Zhang is seeking an apology and damages of 172 yuan from Guo, the tea producer, a sales agency and the advertising company with a claim that they are guilty of commercial fraud.

Zhang said she bought three boxes of tea because she was a fan of Guo, but found she lost no weight at all and suffered nausea and vomiting.

She said she also learned later that the tea had no connection with Tibet.

(Shanghai Daily June 12, 2007)