Lorraine Kelly - Sun today

Lorraine Kelly - Sun today

"I pray e-fit helps find Madeleine

In the years since she disappeared off the face of the earth, Madeleine McCann's parents have never given up hope.

They have both been vilified and even found themselves accused of murdering their beloved child.

Conspiracy theorists have taken to Twitter and other social networking sites to compare outlandish theories and inflict disgraceful attacks on Kate and Gerry.

Somehow they have managed to endure all the foul trolls and hateful comments.

I simply have no idea how they stay so strong and remain so positive that one day they will find their daughter and their fractured family will be repaired.

This week their hopes were raised again with the news that Scotland Yard detectives plan to release an e-fit image of a possible suspect in Madeleine's abduction.

Kate and Gerry will also be appearing on BBC's Crimewatch on Monday night to make a fresh appeal for information.

I have met them both many times over the years and have always been struck by their dignity and gratitude to everyone who tried to help in the hunt for their daughter.

I cannot even begin to imagine what they have been going through during the past six years.

It must be the last thing they think about when they go to sleep and the first when they wake up in the morning. To go through life with that knot in your stomach, pain in your heart and never really having peace of mind is just too painful to bear. But bear it they must.

They have to take care of their twins, Sean and Amelie.

Right now, the McCann's are in the middle of a libel case against the Portuguese detective who devoted more energy to writing a book about the case than actually trying to find Madeleine.

Pain

He has made heinous accusations against Kate and Gerry.

The claims have caused them enormous pain and distress - and spawned much of the ludicrous backlash against them both.

If only the British coppers had been allowed to take charge of this investigation six years ago when the clues were still fresh.

There would have been a real chance of finding out what happened to Madeleine.

We can only hope that this latest development will bring about the reunion we are all praying for.

And that one day Madeleine will be found and returned to the arms of her parents".