Speaking on her return to Portugal for the first time since being questioned by police over her daughter’s disappearance, she said Madeleine was always in her thoughts.

Mrs McCann said: “Each day we get through, each week that we get through, I’m thinking, how is Madeleine?”

She added: “She’s six, but we’ve just got to keep going, and it has been very harrowing and very draining, and it’s been a long time to just keep going.

“But there is no choice, she needs us to find her and bring her home.

“I cry for Madeleine every day.”

She also insisted that she would one day return to Praia da Luz, the resort where Madeleine was snatched during a family holiday.

Kate and Gerry McCann were told yesterday that they could receive more than £1 million compensation from a former police detective who claimed she was dead.

They are pursuing legal action against Goncalo Amaral after winning a gagging order against the publication of his book.

Several thousand copies of the book have been handed over to the family’s legal team, it is understood.

After the couple met their Portuguese lawyers and advisers in Lisbon, Mrs McCann said: “Our main worry, obviously, was people believing that Madeleine was dead.

“If people believe that she is not alive, then people will stop looking for her.

“I just think that it’s so vital and so fair for Madeleine that we don’t give up on her, that we look for her. We’re not going to stop.”

Mr McCann said there was no evidence that his daughter is dead. He said a team of private investigators were still working on the case and going through “hundreds of thousands” of pieces of information.

Legal proceedings are continuing against Mr Amaral but lawyers have told the McCanns their search fund could be in line for a payout worth £1.2 million.

Mr Amaral was involved in the initial investigation to find Madeleine but was later taken off the case.

In his book, The Truth Of The Lie, he claims Madeleine is dead and questions the McCanns’ account that she was taken while they were eating with friends nearby.

Earlier this month, a Portuguese judge banned further sale or publication of the book.

The injunction also banned Mr Amaral from repeating his claims about Madeleine or her parents, who are both doctors.

At one point Portuguese police made Mr and Mrs McCann arguidos, or formal suspects, in their daughter’s disappearance.

They were questioned by detectives but their arguido status was later lifted.

The McCanns’ spokesman said discussions between the couple, both 41 and from Rothley, Leicestershire, would remain private.