BBC soap EastEnders is withdrawing a kidnap storyline due to the possible distress caused over similarities with the Madeleine McCann case.

The kidnap plot involving Dawn Swan, played by Kara Tointon, having her baby snatched will now be re-written after considering the ongoing investigation over the missing four-year-old Madeleine.

The child went missing from her family's holiday apartment in the Algarve on May 3rd.

A spokeswoman for the BBC said the storyline involving child abduction would be "inappropriate" and could cause distress for viewers.

Dawn is caught in a love triangle involving her lover Rob Minter, played by Stuart Laing, and his character's wife Dr May Wright, played by Amanda Drew.

Rob is currently living with Dawn and has left his wife after she attempted to buy Dawn's unborn baby, which is fathered by Rob.

ITV's soap Coronation Street also abandoned a child kidnap plot involving the character Claire Peacock earlier this month.

A spokesperson for ITV said: "We are aware that there are some similarities in a future Coronation Street storyline to the events surrounding the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.

"We would not wish to add to the familys anguish at this terrible time and we are currently reviewing our storyline including episodes which have already been filmed."

Madeleine's parents are currently in the Algarve and are trying to ensure their child is kept in the public eye to encourage any information from the public about her disappearance.



23/05/2007 10:54:57