Emmerdale actress Claire King, best known for playing Kim Tate, has been living with rheumatoid arthritis for 35 years. The 64-year-old, who first appeared on the ITV soap in 1989, has undergone surgery to have the joints in her fingers removed and replaced with plates to ease her symptoms.
Living with arthritis for decades
King was diagnosed with the condition in her late 20s. Speaking previously to The Sun, she said: "I've had arthritis for 35 years, I've got metal in my hands. Last year I had metal pins put in. Everything's falling to bits!"
The actress said she had accumulated injuries over the years from being "sporty and horsey", but added: "I've lost so many friends a lot younger than me. Every day you wake up, I feel blessed that I'm still here."
Impact on her role as Kim Tate
In 2020, on Channel 4's Steph's Packed Lunch, King revealed how the condition has affected her portrayal of Kim Tate and the adjustments the costume department have had to make. She said: "You won't see Kim Tate in six-inch high heels anymore. I wear flat riding boots, I can get away with Ugg boots or trainers or flip-flops. It's just a case of being comfortable."
Discussing her condition with OK! magazine, she said: "I struggled to go to work and do the things I love, like horse-riding, because of the terrible pressure it put on my knees. I can certainly relate to the 'invisible disease' – although my symptoms don't always show, it doesn't mean I'm not in pain or feeling exhausted."
Managing flare-ups on set
King also told OK! Magazine in 2020: "When I get a flare-up, it's not nice and it does make you feel very tired. If I'm on location in winter, the cold feels like it gets to your bones. Often people don't see it as an issue because you aren't in a wheelchair or limping, but they look after me on the show and give me more indoor scenes during winter."
Emmerdale airs Monday to Friday at 8:00pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
