The Laz word... on the McCanns

WILL I be queuing up in WH Smith’s to buy a personally autographed copy of the book about to be written by the parents of Madeleine McCann? Of course not. I have only once in my life got in line to buy a book hot off the presses and that was the final volume of the Harry Potter series.

What are they expected to do? Sit back and pray for ‘closure’ or never give up hope? If the proceeds of the book help to keep their hopes alive then good luck to them

The reaction, judging by some of the comments on the internet to this week's decision by Gerry and Liverpool-born Kate McCann has been mixed, with a huge helping of outrage, disgust even.

Perhaps the fact that there was a so-called bidding war to win the prize of the McCann signatures on a contract prompted some animosity. Perhaps it’s because details of the financial arrangements have been kept under wraps arouses ill feeling.

All we know is the couple will be receiving a substantial advance and enhanced royalties once the £20 tome is on the bookshelves.

The proceeds from the sale of the book, according to statements, will all be going to the McCann’s official fund set up to look for Madeleine.

Kate McCann says the book will give the family the chance to give a truthful account of the disappearance of Madeleine during a family holiday to Portugal on May 3, 2007. Madeleine was nearly four when she vanished from the family holiday apartment in the Algarve as her parents dined with friends near by.

The McCanns are currently fighting a legal battle against a former Portuguese detective over his book alleging Madeleine died in the apartment and that her parents faked her abduction. It’s an allegation they have always strongly denied.

You have to admire the way the McCanns have somehow managed to keep the story of their little girl in the worldwide spotlight, never giving up hope of a miracle that will one day see them re-united with their missing daughter.

Some of the critics are unforgiving for the way the McCanns were dining out, while their children slept, even though it was just a very short distance and they kept a regular watch on the bedroom.

Perhaps sympathy at times did transform into sickliness when ‘official spokespeople’ for the McCanns popped up on television screens making pronouncements, in the way celebrities have spokespeople.

The McCanns may be savvy in the use of modern media, generating publicity, giving interviews, opening their lives to a world more eager than ever for real-life drama, as opposed to docu-soap trash.

What are they expected to do? Sit back and pray for ‘closure’ or never give up hope? If the proceeds of the book help to keep their hopes alive then good luck to them.

I wonder what the reaction will be when the next chapter happens, the film of the book?

The flack taken by Kate and Gerry McCann, while distressing, is a small, but unfair, price to pay for their continuing mission. My bet is they would sacrifice every halfpenny they possess for the return of their child.

The book, Madeleine, is to be published next April close to the fourth anniversary of the youngster’s mystery disappearance.

London-based published Transworld has acquired the rights to publish the book - which is being written by the McCanns. They have already put pen to paper.

Transworld boasts among its stable, best-selling authors, including The Da Vinci Code writer Dan Brown and fantasy novelist TerryPratchett. The book is predicted to be a top seller.

Larry Neild