The Peacock family are regulars in the show

ITV has scrapped already-filmed scenes where Freddie Peacock disappears over fears it would upset the McCann family.

The story was a major plotline due to run in the top-rated drama for "several months", ITV said.

A spokesman added writers were now looking at the idea again to see what form would be acceptable.

Pictures withdrawn

Baby Freddie Peacock was due to disappear in "mysterious circumstances" in the coming weeks.

But producers were concerned that scenes where his parents Ashley and Claire Peacock handed out pictures of the child and made a public appeal for help were too close to current events.

The spokesman added: "We have reviewed the story and decided to take it back to the writers because we did not want to add to the distress of the family.

"The story has not been axed but some scenes already filmed will not be broadcast."

Publicity stills of the scenes have been withdrawn and media outlets asked not to use them.