Emmerdale legend Claire King fears a backlash from fans after Kim Tate orders the murder of her estranged husband Graham Foster.
Gorgeous Claire has been back in the village as superbitch Kim for the last year and although she admits she’s never worked so hard, she’s loving every minute of it.
In an exclusive interview with the Daily Star Sunday as viewers prepare for a week of special episodes that will see popular Graham killed off she said: “I can’t believe how quickly the past year has gone, it’s just flown by. It’s been full on and I have no life! But it’s been brilliant.
After a long day I come back home and run a very hot bath. I’ll sit in there with my scripts for the next day and have a glass of sherry, that’s how I unwind.
“Obviously when I was there before we only had three episodes a week so the workload has doubled, and it is tough.
“I’ve never worked so hard in my life! But I get to go home every night and it really is the best place to work. We are all one big team from the cleaning lady through to the cast, make-up, wardrobe, the writers right up to the producers at the top.
“And whether you are seven or 70 everyone speaks to each other. It’s such a nice place to work.”
Claire is at the heart of all the action this week as her on-off lover and husband Graham, played by Andrew Scarborough, is brutally murdered.
Viewers will see each episode from a different suspects perspective, with Claire’s character Kim kicking off the week tomorrow (Monday night).
She said: “Kim shows her vulnerable side and admits that she is still in love with Graham.
“They’ve been together on and off for 20 years, and she lays her heart on the line and tells him. He leads her to believe that they’re going to get back together.
“It’s all quite cruel really. So when she discovers that she’s been played she decides she wants to get rid of him and orders his murder.
“Andrew has created such a unique character and he is so popular with the audience so I don’t think I’ll be going on social media after tomorrow night’s episode, they’re all going to hate me.”
(Image: ITV)
So what’s it been like working with Andrew? She added: “I love working with him so much. We’ve got the same sense of humour and we’re both from Harrogate. I used to manage his sister’s boyfriend’s band and he met me when he was a teenager.
“And then from the minute I stepped out on set after 20 years away he was a complete gentleman. We just clicked and had a really good laugh. I’m going to miss him desperately.
“All I can say is everyone will be shocked by his death. It’s kind of obvious but it’s not. There are so many people gunning for him and it could even be someone that the viewers don’t suspect.
“His death also kicks off another big storyline, one that will have an affect on all of those people lives. Emmerdale always does these special episodes so well.
“It was very complicated not only for the directors and writers but also as we were doing different storylines as well as filling this so there was also the continuity to think about.
“It was a big of a nightmare for everyone but I hope it shows that we did put he work in as it’s all very exciting. We’re all desperate to see it and will be watching along with the viewers.”
And with Graham dead, Claire has the perfect person to be Kim’s new love interest.
She said: “I’m wondering if Dave Glover’s got a twin brother! That’s all we need. I’d love him to come back.
“I’m still in touch with Ian Kelsey, who played Dave, so you never know.”
**Emmerdale’s week of special episodes kick off tomorrow night at 7pm on ITV***
