Eldorado, the iconic BBC soap, is returning to TV 32 years after its last episode aired.
Eldorado ran for just one year between 1992 and 1993 but managed to rack up an impressive 156 episodes during that time.
However, “low viewership” led to the soap’s cancellation in March 1993, but it managed to go out with a bang, as the final episode featured character Marcus Tandy escaping death after his car was blown up (sorry if that’s a spoiler!)
Now fans are being given the chance to relive the magic, as UKTV channel U&Drama will be airing two episodes of the show each weekday from Monday 27 January 2025.
Eldorado followed the lives of British and European expats living in the fictional town of Los Barcos on the Costa Eldorado in Spain.
Far from the gloominess of soaps such as Eastenders and Coronation Street, Eldorado was meant to entice viewers with its sunnier setting.
Familiar faces who starred in the soap include Julie Fernandez (Brenda in The Office), Jesse Birdsall (Fraser Black in Hollyoaks), Polly Perkins (EastEnders’ Rose Cotton), Derek Martin (EastEnders’ Charlie Slater).
The soap was filmed on location in Spain, with the set near the village of Coín still standing.
In 2017, Polly Perkins – who played Trish Valentine in the soap – toured the set for BBC News with David Sillito.
Sharing her thoughts on its current state, Polly said: “It could do with a lick of paint, this place. If I’d have been here, it would’ve been done by now.
“It’s been let go to rack and ruin – I think it’s a terrible shame, what a waste. It’s not like it’s just scenery – these are real homes.”
The soap has been the subject of many fan campaigns over the years, with nostalgic viewers hoping it will one day be revived. But for now, U&Drama is the place to relive the Eldorado glory days.
Eldorado will air on UKTV channel U&Drama from Monday 27 January with two episodes each weekday.
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All That Glitters: The Eldorado podcast launched