Emmerdale's Claire King reveals why she finally returned to the show as Kim Tate after rejecting multiple offers over 19 years

The actress, 55 – who shot to fame playing the legendary soap superbitch in 1989 before leaving a decade later – rejected repeated chances to return out of fear.

She told The Sun Online: "I think because of Kim being such a big character previously and everyone having great memories of her that I didn't want to spoil that, really.

"And you think, god I'm a it past it, aren't I? I can't do it."

But with the soap reintroducing the Tate family last year with Joe Tate's arrival in the village, Kim wouldn't have been alone, so it made the decision easier.

She explained: "There was already a Tate name in Home Farm so it made it easier than having some random old bint coming in and everyone going, 'Who the hell's this?!'

"I think it made more of an easy, smooth [transition].

"I just thought it would be great fun and I still knew people here. I mean, Chris Chittell was texting me and saying 'Kingy it's still the same work ethic, it's great' I thought, thank goodness for that.

"It hasn't all got out of hand. It's like a family here.

"I think they understood my predicament of coming in after 20 years – it's a nerve-wracking thing to do because you left on such a high and then suddenly it could all go horribly wrong. And you think 'Why did I do it?!'"

Fortunately bosses convinced her to make the comeback for a special week of episodes and her return went much more smoothly than she could have hoped for.

She said: "My first few days were with Andy and it was great because it was almost like doing a new job.

"Because I wasn't in these studios, I was down the road so it felt like doing a new job and as a jobbing actor that felt great.

"Luckily we got on from the word go and then when I got the Cressgeld, which is Home Farm, and I was like 'Oh god, she's back!'"

She added: "A lot of the writers from 20 years ago are still working now… and I think because the character was so well written for so many years ago that I was just hoping that it would be that way again.

"It is so much delight as an actress when you are written for and you know you can do those lines and think 'This is funny, this is fun, I'm enjoying this.'"

And with the week set to see force of nature Kim clash with villagers who have never experienced her before, and she will end up being pushed over a balcony as someone tries to murder her.

All will be revealed on Emmerdale this week.


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