I have the same problem! Okay so I did run the machine for a few cycles continuously before it stopped heating. My rear drum shaft has completly eaten through the bearing. But I am not sure if there is another problem too.
To check if this is the same cause as yours is easy. There is a half circle of grey plastic at the back of the machine (it is only held on by two screws). Unplug your maching for safety and unscrew the two screws. The rear drum bearing is tear dropped shaped and held on by one screw. There is a circular disc that slots into that (it has a s-shaped wire through it). I think the disc is magnetic anyway it just came straight out of mine. The whole area was covered in blackened dust (made as the drum shaft grinded straight through the bearing).
If your teardrop bearing is still a teardrop shape - you have a different problem. If like mine - under the disc - it resembles a hook then we may have the same problem.
I've found a website where you can get a new drum bearing for £7.73 including P+P so I am going to give that a go. I'm hoping that there is just some kind of safety cut out on the heating when this part fails and if I replace it; everything will be peachy again.
What could possibly go wrong :) I'll let you know how I get on.
Lucy, October 2008
