McCanns deny Oprah bidding war

Updated 08.11 Sat Jan 26 2008

The parents of missing toddler Madeleine McCann have denied they are at the centre of a bidding war between rival US talk shows.

Kate and Gerry McCann have been approached by the makers of the Oprah Winfrey show and the news network ABC, their spokesman confirmed.

Spokesman Clarence Mitchell said four-year-old Madeleine's parents have been approached by both chat shows but insisted no money had been discussed

But the McCanns denied they are trying to land a £1 million deal for an exclusive interview.

Spokesman Clarence Mitchell said four-year-old Madeleine's parents have been approached by both chat shows but insisted no money had been discussed.

He said: "There is categorically no truth to the suggestion that any sort of bidding war is currently taking place between American networks or American programmes."

He added that Gerry and Kate McCann will not be giving any sit-down interviews while they remain "arguidos" - or official suspects in their daughter's disappearance.

Mr Mitchell added: "Initial contact with both Oprah and ABC has taken place as it has with many other media outlets around the world.

"But nothing has been agreed nor are we aware of any of these programmes being in any sort of competition with each other."

The McCanns are considering whether to give the go-ahead to a film about their daughter, who went missing on a family holiday in the Algarve, Portugal, last May.

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