Claire King had people "hit her over the head with umbrellas" because of her "vile" 'Emmerdale' alter-ego Kim Tate.

Claire King as Kim Tate

Claire King as Kim Tate

The 57-year-old actress spent a decade on the ITV soap after her debut in 1989, before she returned again for a cameo appearance last year, and now she is back in the Yorkshire Dales once again.

Claire has revealed that before social media, fans of the programme used to physically attack her on the street, but nowadays they vent their frustrations with her wicked character online, though she doesn't take any notice.

Speaking on UK TV show 'This Morning' on Friday (22.03.19), Claire recalled: "I had people hitting me over the head with umbrellas in the old days and all sorts going on because they couldn't believe how vile she was.

"Now it seems to be less physical and more sort of on the keyboard."

Asked if she is trolled on the internet, she replied: "I don't read it."

On whether it's flattering, she laughed: "That's what I say, job done."

Despite her cruel ways, Claire does "like" Kim and teased that viewers will see a "softer side" to her.

Asked by co-host Ruth Langsford if she likes her, she admitted: "I do like her. I think she can be a real moo, most of the time. But I do actually like her I think there is a softer side.

"I've been back there two months now so I am a little bit ahead of the audience.

"So I kind of know what is coming up."

Ruth said: "She's not looking soft at the moment."

To which Claire replied: "No, she's not. She is basically like a hurricane in 'Emmerdale'."

Asked what her thoughts were when she was invited back on the soap, she said: "It is one of those things that has been mentioned a few times over the last 20 years, since leaving, it was never right.

"I thought, just now, this time it feels right."

Kim is known for her stylish horse-riding image, and Claire - who also played Erica Holroyd on rival soap 'Coronation Street' between 2014 and 2017 - revealed that she had to pay for her fancy clothes out of her own pocket, because her wardrobe is "so tatty" now.

She said: "I've had to actually buy some of the stuff for Kim because my stuff at home is so old and tatty now.

"It's good quality."

On what's coming up for Kim, she said: "She is back because she is out of prison, she has been in prison for six years, and she wants to find her son James, who was last seen taking off in a helicopter with her about 20 years ago.

"She's settled back into the village and Home Farm is available.

"She has been keeping Graham (Foster, played by Andrew Scarborough) up there and obviously Joe (Tate), but obviously he went a little bit wry ...

"She's got in for Cane, but Cane has it in for her.

"Of course she is going to recuperate."

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