ITV continuity spoils return of 'Emmerdale's Kim Tate

The shock return of Emmerdale’s villainous Kim Tate was made somewhat less shocking for soap fans yesterday.

Showmakers had teased the comeback on social media, a masked face suggesting something ominous in the post for Home Farm.

But the fact that actress Claire King will be back on the show after 20 years was doubtless not intended to be made in a continuity link between programmes, trailing the Lorraine show for this morning.

“It’s been 20 years since she left the Dales, but Kim Tate is back,” said the announcer at tea time yesterday. “Actress Claire King is on Lorraine at 8.30.”

And with that, the jig was up, and Twitter was all over it.

Even King herself chimed in.

Whatever the manner in which it was announced, the news is most welcome among fans:

Speaking to Lorraine Kelly this morning, King said that she’s relishing the prospect of heading back to the dales to ‘wreak havoc’.

“A return has been mentioned over the years – but the time is right now that the Tate name is back. Now here I am in my old stomping ground!” she said.

“She is as always, a joy to play! She is going to come back and wreak havoc. Even though she’s just back for a week, she does quite a lot, actually!

“She’s bigger and badder than she was before – and obviously a bit older. They’re not going to know what’s hit them.”

However, it sounds like this stint at least may not be a lengthy affair.

“Well, I’m committed to pantomime at Christmas in Stockport doing Sleeping Beauty and I’ve got a film coming out – things are busy! So I’m sorry about that!” she added.

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