Gerry McCann is returning to work today nearly six months after daughter Madeleine vanished from their holiday apartment in Portugal.
The consultant cardiologist, still an official suspect in her disappearance, is beginning a phased resumption of his work at Leicester's Glenfield Hospital, working three half-days a week.
He and his wife Kate have led a high-profile campaign to find the four-year-old since her apparent abduction in Praia da Luz on May 3rd.
Mrs McCann has no plans to return to her job as a part-time GP in Melton.
With a private investigation now established alongside the police inquiry and media and legal advisers in place, Mr McCann, who has been on unpaid leave, is understood to be ready to make the move.
Public prosecutor Jose Magalhaes e Meneses has reportedly refused to sanction any further moves against the couple without seeing stronger evidence that they may have been involved in their daughter's disappearance.
PA