‘I Don't Believe In Regrets!'

Emmerdale star Claire King tells us how losing friends to illness has made her appreciate life and why she’s grateful every day

- Christine Smith

It’s hard to believe that Emmerdale actress Claire King has been playing the formidable and manipulative Kim Tate on and off now for more than 30 years.

But at 58, Claire is still looking fabulous three decades on. And as she reveals today, not even a few lines can faze the star who’s determined to live every day to the full after losing several close friends to cancer, including Emmerdale co-star Leah Bracknell.

As her iconic soap character, Kim Tate

‘Of course, I look in the mirror and think, “Oh, I would like fewer bags and lines,”’ says Claire, laughing as she does. ‘But this is part of my life and history. I wouldn’t have got those if I hadn’t lived my life, and I have had a great and a full life.

She pauses, then continues, ‘I also do feel very lucky, though. Yes, I’ve got ailments but, touch wood, I haven’t got anything life-threatening. We lost one of my best friends, Fiona, to bowel cancer a couple of years ago, and with Leah going too, it makes you think about your own life, future, your health and how you treat people.’

As Claire readily admits, she has certainly faced more than her fair share of tough times in the past, whether that’s her divorce with her co-star ex, Peter Amory; depression, addiction or not having children – but all of that, stresses the actress, is now quite firmly behind her.