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Madeleine McCann disappeared on the evening of May 3, 2007, from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, while her parents were out for dinner nearby. What followed was arguably the most heavily reported missing-person case in history. Her whereabouts remain unknown but a new Netflix series will attempt to shine some light on the possibility she could still be alive.

The eight-part series, called “The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann", will drop on the online streaming site at some point today, after it was first commissioned in 2017. The documentary, which has been delayed due to lack of new material, features an appearance from authors Anthony Summers and Robbyn Swan, who’s book “Looking for Madeleine” became a bestseller. The blow-by-blow account, which was first published in 2014, features interviews with the “tapas seven” – friends of the McCanns who they were on holiday with. This included Fiona and David Payne, Dianne Webster, Jane Tanner, Russell O’Brien, Rachel Oldfield and Matthew Oldfield who had all been planning the trip for some time.

Madeleine McCann went missing in 2007

Kate and Gerry McCann believe their child is alive

I don’t know why, I’ve just got an uneasy feeling about it. Kate McCann

However, the book does reveal how Kate McCann had some reservations. It reads: “Though she was won over by the enthusiasm of everyone else, Kate McCann was initially hesitant about the trip. “She had explained this by saying she had concerns about what it would cost, and all the trouble and organisation involved in getting three small children to Portugal and back. “Fiona Payne would remember her friend’s hesitation a little differently. “She recalls Kate saying on the phone: ‘I don’t know why, I’ve just got an uneasy feeling about it.’”

Anthony Summers and Robbyn Swan wrote a book on the dissappearance

These fears were heightened when one of the other couple’s child fell ill. It continued: “Come April, with the trip only a few weeks away, the three-year-old daughter of Jane Tanner and her partner Russ O’Brien came down with a foot infection. “Their decision to travel was made only at the last minute. Rachel Oldfield reflected: ‘It was almost like the holiday should never have happened in the first place.’” The new documentary promises to open up old wounds for the McCanns and Kate and Gerry have refused to be involved.

Madeleine went missing from Praia da Luz

Madeleine went missing from her hotel room

The pair released a statement earlier this week, claiming the show could hinder police investigations. It reads: "We are aware that Netflix is planning to screen a documentary in March 2019 about Madeleine’s disappearance. "The production company told us that they were making the documentary and asked us to participate. "We did not see – and still do not see – how this programme will help the search for Madeleine and, particularly given there is an active police investigation, it could potentially hinder it. "Consequently, our views and preferences are not reflected in the programme. We will not be making any further statements or giving interviews regarding this programme."

Kate and Gerry McCann have refused to take part in the documentary

The programme will feature interviews with more than 40 people, including the Portuguese authorities first involved in the case. Most prominently it features Jim Gamble, a senior child protection officer in the UK who believes Madeleine is still alive. A preview of the show revealed him saying: “I absolutely believe that, in my lifetime, we will find out what has happened to Madeleine McCann. “There's huge hope to be had with the advances in technology. Year on year DNA is getting better. “Year on year other techniques, including facial recognition, are getting better.

Jim Gamble believes Madeleine will be found in his lifetime