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Fans of The Riordians have been left panicking that the series has been lost forever. The Irish soap opera aired from 1965 to 1979 and was set in the fictional townland of Leestown in County Kilkenny.

The series follows middle-aged parents, Tom and Mary Riordan, their eldest son Benjy, and younger sons Michael and Jude who left farming for other careers.

Notable for filming outside for its farm-based setting, the series inspired Emmerdale, which was first broadcast in 1972.

The Riordians aired on RTÉ (Radio and Television of Ireland) and despite running for more than a decade, isn't available on RTÉ player. This has left fans fearing that the series will never be able to be accessed.

Taking to Reddit, one wrote: "Does anyone have any episode of this TV show?"

Another responded: "I don't think even RTÉ have the series anymore. They taped over it. The original tape so it could be lost to time."

Suggesting a way they could be accessible, someone else penned: "I'd imagine there's a fella somewhere in the countryside with a pile of VHS or Betamax tapes with them."

However, another pointed out the videocassette recorders weren't commercially out at the time. While a handful of episodes and clips are available on YouTube, it is unknown if the full series is available for fans to rewatch.

Last week, it was announced that is teaming up with in a one-off, hour-long special airing in January 2026.

The news was shared on the channel's website, where it teased how "the combined production teams embark on an ambitious stunt that will have everlasting consequences for everyone involved". It also revealed that the special episode will feature a unique, self-contained storyline and use characters from both Manchester's and Yorkshire's .

The statement added: "The consequences of the high-stakes drama will have repercussions for both communities and see them linked forever as familiar faces depart and exciting new characters arrive into both soaps."

Following the crossover, each soap will settle into its new schedule of 30-minute evening episodes: at 8:00pm, followed by at 8:30pm on ITV1 and STV. Episodes will also be available to stream earlier on ITVX and STV Player.