A storyline about a missing baby in BBC soap EastEnders is being rewritten because of similarities with the Madeleine McCann case in Portugal.

The plot was due to revolve around Kara Tointon’s character Dawn Swann, who is currently pregnant in the programme.

“It was felt any storyline that included child abduction would be inappropriate and could cause distress to our viewers,” a spokeswoman said.

Coronation Street also changed a story following Madeleine’s disappearance.