And amid fears that the story could spark a backlash against the show, Corrie bosses insisted last night that the tot's disappearance bears "no resemblance" to the Madeleine McCann case.

The scenes in Blackpool show Simon, played by Alex Bain, running off to buy sweets on a trip with his millionaire grandparents George and Eve.

The couple are then seen frantically searching the promenade after he fails to return.

Simon's dad Peter Barlow later prints hundreds of flyers begging for information about his son.

Corrie chiefs ditched plans for a plot about a child abduction in 2007 because it was so similar to the case of little Madeleine.

And producers are bracing themselves for complaints when the story of six-year-old Simon's disappearance is broadcast.

A Coronation Street insider tried to defuse any row by insisting that the story is "in no way intended to copy the Madeleine McCann investigation".

The source said: "This is totally different to the storyline planned three years ago, where a toddler was snatched from his bed while he was asleep.

"The scenes with Simon are heart-wrenching. Viewers will have to wait for the outcome but there will be many emotionally charged scenes to come."

A Corrie spokesman said: "The Barlow story bears no resemblance whatsoever to the Madeleine McCann tragedy.

"The viewer will see Simon walk off on his own. And while there is a big search for him, which is obviously distressing for his family, the situation is resolved quickly."