Madeleine went missing during a family holiday in Portugal in May 2007 when she was just three years old.
The investigation into her disappearance was reopened by Scotland Yard in July of this year, and Kate and Gerry McCann have said ‘pieces of the jigsaw’ are slowly fitting together.
‘We are greatly encouraged by new information coming to light with pieces of the jigsaw now fitting together,’ her parents revealed.
‘We're really hopeful the forthcoming Crimewatch appeal will bring further new evidence which will take us a step closer to finding Madeleine and to bringing those responsible for her abduction to justice.’
A reconstruction of the events surrounding her disappearance will be broadcast on BBC’s Crimewatch on the 14 October.
A detailed investigation into phone records belonging to people who were in Praia da Luz at the time of Madeleine's disappearance has identified 41 people of interest.
Senior investigating officer, Det Ch Insp Andy Redwood, said:
'We have the most complete picture to date of the events surrounding her disappearance'
‘We now believe we have the most complete picture to date of the events surrounding her disappearance.
‘We are making targeted and new appeals for help from the public.
‘I truly believe there are people out there who hold the key to Madeleine's disappearance, and that so far they may be completely unaware of that fact.’
This comes soon after a lawyer told police how a witness admitted to him that he had seen Madeleine just weeks ago.
The conversation took place at a party, and the lawyer admitted:
‘I can’t tell you exactly why I believe what I was being told. It was just a gut feeling.’
Although the details of the encounter remain confidential, the witness added:
‘I knew that by reporting it, it would compromise me in all sorts of ways. But it was something that I couldn’t ignore. If I hadn’t said anything I couldn’t have lived with myself.’
‘I was able to be a bit more specific than just the island but I haven’t been able to tell them exactly where the man said she was. I am now terrified that she has been moved elsewhere.’
The Crimewatch episode will be broadcast live on Monday October 14 at 9pm on BBC One with an update programme at 10:35pm.