A MADELEINE McCann tour guide has defended his "ghoulish" business - insisting he's just trying to help find the missing toddler.

The trips to the apartment - named Luz Tours - where the missing three-year-old was last seen alive has been slammed as "appalling".

Madeleine McCann disappeared while on holiday with her family in Portugal Credit: PA:Press Association

The McCann family were staying in an apartment at the Ocean club, Praia Da Luz, Portugal, when she vanished Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

But the unnamed organiser who writes a blog called Shining in Luz insists he is just "trying to progress the case".

The tour organiser wrote: "Luz Tours are for people with considerable expertise in the Madeleine McCann case.

He added: "I don’t think there is a way to commercialise Luz Tours and I wouldn’t want to even if it was possible.

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"However, I find it ironic that I get keel-hauled for trying to progress the Madeleine McCann case, for free, and Scott Michaels gets lauded for running a business based on dead celebrities."

Michaels founded the now infamous Dearly Departed Tours in Hollywood 15 years ago.

He guides visitors to where famous faces met their death - from Michael Jackson's family mansion to the Bevery Hilton Hotel where Whitney Houston drowned.

Sketch of man seen carrying a child in Praia da Luz on the night Maddie was last seen Credit: Metropolitan Police

The little girl would be 14 this year after disappearing almost 10 years ago Credit: REAL MADRID TV FILE

But the Luz tour has been slammed by Brits living in the Portuguese town where Maddie disappeared.

One expat told Sun Online: “I don't know what's worse - running this sick tour or pretending it's doing it to find Maddie.

"I think the organisers are twisted and the people that go on these ghoulish tours are not much better.

"It's totally uncalled for and needs to stop."

Gerry and Kate McCann arrive for the libel case against former Portuguese police chief Goncalo Amaral at Lisbon's Palace of Justice in Lisbon Credit: LUSA

Madeleine McCann’s disappearance is still shrouded in mystery as investigators continue to hunt for the tragic girl.

She vanished on May 3, 2007, when her family, from Leicestershire, were holidaying in the Algarve.

Portuguese police fear the youngster died accidentally in the seaside resort’s sought-after property.

Holidaymakers have slammed the 'appalling' tour of the apartment where Maddie was last seen Credit: PA:Press Association

But her parents believe she was kidnapped while they were dining in a nearby tapas bar with pals, and could still be alive.

Gerry and Kate McCann recently lost their latest court appeal to silence former cop Goncalo Amaral, who claims they covered up their daughter’s death in his book.

As the 10th anniversary of their daughter's disappearance approaches, the McCanns have slammed claims they are plotting to make hundreds of thousands out of the milestone.

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