Why has Kim returned?
AS SHE MAKES HER RETURN TO THE DALES, INSIDE SOAP COULDN’T BE HAPPIER – AND STAR CLAIRE KING IS DELIGHTED, TOO…
From the moment Kim Tate boarded that helicopter back in January 1999, in a typically dramatic bid to evade justice, her loyal fans have been desperate for their Queen of the Dales to return to the scene of her many crimes.
This week, almost two decades later, those dreams are finally about to come true. The bitch is back, as formidable and fascinating as she ever was – and Inside Soap is thrilled to have Claire King, who’s been playing the first lady of Emmerdale since 1989, on the phone again…
We’re so excited about Kim’s return, Claire – have you been enjoying all the speculation?
Oh yes! I knew about it for quite a while and wasn’t able to say anything, so half my friends have stopped talking to me! When the teaser trailer first aired, you couldn’t see it was me – it was quite good having the mask.
But once the mask was removed, it all went berserk.
It’s a question that’s come up a lot over the years: ‘When is Kim Tate coming back?’
Fans have always asked me whether
I’d go back to Emmerdale. It’s something that’s been discussed ever since I left 20 years ago. But it felt like now the time was right. It would have been a bit random before, but with Joe Tate being in the village, there’s a link.
So it’s slotted in well.
What did it mean to you that people were so desperate to have Kim back in the Dales?
Well, obviously it’s really flattering. When I first started on the show there were no mobile phones, let alone social media – so the night of the big reveal was overload for me! I couldn’t keep up with everything. But it was all so lovely – it’s good to be back, albeit for a short time.
How did it feel playing Kim again after all this time?
Like putting on an old pair of riding boots! It’s been 20 years but it’s amazing, time f lies – so it was just like