EMMERDALE’S Claire King has revealed her heartbreaking family tragedy for the first time ahead of Christmas.
The actress, who plays iconic Kim Tate in the ITV soap, bravely spoke out about the passing of her dad actor John Seed.
The soap star, whose real name is Jayne Claire Seed, recently opened up about her families plans for the festive season next month.
Claire told TV Times this week: “Unfortunately, my dad passed away recently.
“My mum will be coming to us along with my brother and his girlfriend.
“I’m doing the cooking – Marks & Sparks is my friend!
“My partner and I would like a chateaubriand but other people like turkey.
“I might compromise and do a goose.”
Claire first joined Emmerdale back in 1989.
The star took on the role of Kim for 10 years before leaving the soap and went on to star in various other TV shows.
She reprised the role of Kim in 2018 and has been on the programme ever since.
Emmerdale isn’t the only soap that Claire has been on.
She’s also starred in Hollyoaks, Doctors, Holby City and Casualty.
Her alter-ego Kim is set to make a chilling discovery next week in the Yorkshire dales.
Things have been awkawrd between Kim and her ex Will Taylor after she found out that he had slept with Rosie.
She wants him to take £100,000 and flee Emmerdale.
First appearing in 1989, Kim Tate (Claire King) is an iconic Emmerdale character. Here's a look at some of her biggest storylines over the years.
MARRIAGE TO FRANK TATE
Kim has been married three times in the soap, but her first, volatile pairing was with Frank Tate (Norman Bowler)
They were an on-screen partnership for almost a decade – including divorcing and remarrying.
However, Frank ultimately suffered a fatal heart attack, brought on by Kim’s return to the village after being presumed dead.
During the marriage, Kim had affairs with Neil Kincaid (Brian Deacon) and Dave Glover (Ian Kelsey).
FAKING HER OWN DEATH
Kim disappeared from the village in February 1997. A few days later, Frank identified a woman found dead at the wheel of her car as Kim.
However, everyone was in for a shock after Kim revealed she was still alive – and the full extent of her plan.
While she’d fled to the Caribbean, Kim had paid a lookalike prostitute to drive her car around the village to fool people into thinking she was still there. It was, in fact, her body that Frank previously identified.
JAMES’ KIDNAPPING
Kim’s business partnership with Lord Alex Oakwell (Rupam Maxwell), resulted in the death of Linda Fowler (Tonicha Jeronimo), in a car crash.
As an act of revenge, Linda’s mother Jan (Roberta Kerr) kidnapped Kim’s son James.
DEPARTURE
After a decade of causing chaos, Kim left Emmerdale in 1999 as she fled in a helicopter with her son James and £190,000 of Chris Tate’s money.
LATER MARRIAGES
Upon Kim’s return in 2018, she was first revealed to be married to Graham Foster (Andrew Scarborough).
However, he was later killed off in a whodunnit storyline.
She later pursued a relationship with her employee Will Taylor (Dean Andrews), marrying him in 2022.
But he had other ideas – his ultimate plan is to divorce her and get hold of her money.
In upcoming scenes of the soap a mysterious figure attempts to steal Kim’s car – and she later finds out who it is and gives them an ultimatum.
