The Sunday Mirror, News Of The World and Sunday People reported that the actress's parents had called for police help when she went missing from home on 30 May.

We look forward to her return as soon as possible

Louise Berridge, EastEnders producer

Scotland Yard confirmed that police were called after Ryan disappeared from her home in Enfield, north-east London.

The 18-year-old actress, who plays Zoe Slater, is currently resting from the soap series on doctors' advice.

A police spokesman said: "North London Police were called at 8.30pm on 30 May by a mother reporting that her 18-year-old daughter had left their home address and asked for police assistance to locate her.

"The 18-year-old was found walking in Waterloo Park in Holloway at 8.52pm.

"She went home with her father who had already been looking for her.

Zoe's fiancée Dr Trueman also romanced her mother

"No further police action was taken," added the spokesman.

The BBC said it had no comment about the reports, but repeated a statement by series producer Louise Berridge: "Michelle is a valued member of the cast and it's important for us to support her at a time like this.

"We look forward to her return as soon as possible."

Screen wedding

Ryan is not expected back in the BBC One soap for some months.

The move has meant the postponement of her screen wedding with Dr Anthony Trueman, played by Nicholas Bailey.

Zoe's mother is played by Jessie Wallace (left)

An EastEnders spokeswoman said: "Michelle Ryan, her parents and EastEnders executive producer Louise Berridge have decided that Michelle should take time out of the show, after doctors advised her she should rest.

"The wedding storyline will be re-written to accommodate her absence."

Ryan's character Zoe Slater had been set to antagonise her mother Kat - she had grown up believing Kat was actually her sister - by marrying the Square's doctor.

Dr Trueman is a former boyfriend of her mother's.

Now the much-anticipated wedding will have to be held over until her return.

Zoe Slater's turbulent screen life saw her run away from home when she discovered Kat was actually her mother.

Ryan has said that acting out such emotional scenes was draining for her.

The young actress's own life has also been eventful recently, with her romance to TV actor Gary Lucy ending abruptly amid reports that he had been dating actress Kelly Wenham.