‘Emmerdale’ star Claire King teases Kim Tate twist in storm drama
Claire King has played Emmerdale icon Kim Tate on and off since 1989, and the character is famous for faking her own death more than once. But could her days truly be numbered this time?
Well, as the ITV soap airs its big storm stunt amid Kim and Will Taylor's (Dean Andrews) wedding festivities, King teases that her alter ego could be set for a shock exit, as she recently stopped filming to enjoy a holiday.
“I’d like to say that I had a lovely time in Spain, so it might be Kim that goes,” the star hints.
After joining the search for pregnant Amelia Spencer (Daisy Campbell), Kim found herself in the midst of the storm alongside her seriously injured love rival Harriet Finch (Katherine Dow Blyton) in the woods.
As the carnage continues across the village, viewers will have to keep watching to find out what happens to Harriet and Kim. However, if Kim does survive, her problems certainly won’t be over.
Read more: Emmerdale 50th anniversary spoilers: Chas injured in storm, Amelia in labour alone
“Will’s not going to be too happy, because [he and Harriet have] had this little ‘I love you‘ thing going on," King reveals.
"Kim does suspect that there’s something going on between Harriet and Will; so I think Will could possibly blame Kim for whatever happens to Harriet.”
As for filming Emmerdale's 50th anniversary, the star explains that the easiest part was working with the horses.
“Never mind [if it's] the end for Kim, it nearly finished me off, being thrown around woods in all that dirt. I'm too old for that." she laughs.
"It was quite a test, actually. I was very lucky because I’ve always ridden [horses] most of my life. So as far as the horses were concerned, that was great; that was no problem at all.
“But it was actually a very hot day, so I had all these layers on, and it was rather sweaty, but also very dirty and dry in the wood. But we did manage to have a bit of a laugh, Katherine and I.”
Read more: Emmerdale: Daisy Campbell on Amelia's terrifying storm ordeal as she goes into labour
Fans will have noticed that Kim’s attire is a little different to the usual soap wedding outfits. “I knew that I was doing a lot of horse riding in it. So I thought: ‘right, a meringue dress, that ain’t working, no way. And it’s going to get filthy.' But we suddenly got it down to more of an equine-suitable outfit.
“If I’d been wearing a corset I wouldn’t have been able to be careering through the woods and rolling around in the dirt, so it had to be quite comfortable! I’m getting on and off horses, you don’t want any rips going on.”
King adds that the outfit included a tribute to her alter ego’s history on the show. “So we’ve got the top hat, which of course Kim Tate wore before, for her wedding to Frank, actually.
"She was in a top hat and boots, so there is a theme here.”
Keep watching Emmerdale as the storm rages on from 7.30pm tonight on ITV.
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