EMMERDALE’S Claire King says she was battered in a supermarket by a viewer who hated her feisty character Kim Tate.
The 57-year-old actress told this week’s OK! that she was cornered in a branch of Marks & Spencer and thrashed with an umbrella because of one of Kim’s storylines.
She explained: “Some people think I’m really Kim Tate because they forget the show isn’t real life.
“I was hit over the head with an umbrella in M&S by an old lady once because Kim had been cruel to Frank.”
In fact, Claire said she found being spotted by viewers such a problem that she bought a four-bedroom villa in southern Spain.
The star explained: “I do get recognised a lot, which is one of the reasons I chose a place so remote.”
Claire also admitted she was nervous about returning to Emmerdale after so long away – because of the cruel comments that can be slung at performers in the internet age.
She said: “I was nervous about doing the role justice again. A lot has changed since I’ve been away.
“Everybody’s a critic now thanks to social media and some of the comments can be very cutting.”
Claire recently described Kim as a “hurricane” on This Morning saying: “She’s got it in for Cain but Cain’s got it in for her, so of course she’s going to reciprocate that.
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“She’s going to get revenge, the Dingles had better watch out.”
However, she added: “I do like her, I think she can be a real moo most of the time. But I do actually like her as I think there is a softer side to her.”
OK! Magazine
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