Emmerdale actress Claire King has always been open and honest about how she faces a daily battle with a major illness.
The Kim Tate actress, 60, suffers from rheumatoid arthritis.
Claire King opens up on health condition
It is a long-term condition that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints.
In an interview in January this year to celebrate her 60th birthday, Claire opened up about how she copes with the condition and how it affects her at work.
Claire was diagnosed in her 20s and admits she was relatively “ignorant” to begin with.
Speaking to OK! Magazine, she shared: “When I was first diagnosed, I was worried.”
However, she went on to say: “Over the years treatments have improved. I have various pills and injections every week and I just get on with it.”
I’ve got metal in some of my fingers
The soap star added: “There are certain things I can’t do at work, like wearing killer heels for more than five minutes. And the costume department has to do up all my buttons, as it takes me ages.
“Doing my hair and make-up takes me a bit longer, too, as I’ve got metal in some of my fingers.”
Claire was vulnerable during the pandemic
The condition meant Claire had to take time off from Emmerdale during the pandemic as she is vulnerable to COVID-19.
She hit out at virus sceptics last year – revealing she shouts at people who refuse to wear a mask.
At the time, she told The Sun: “I still shout at people for not wearing masks. It’s just respect for other people, isn’t it?
“I don’t understand why some people don’t want the vaccine, either. I have had both my jabs and if I get side effects I’ll deal with them then.”
Claire added: “I was told there was a high chance if I got COVID-19 I wouldn’t survive it, so it was always the better option. I have no issues with it. But if you’re not going to get the vaccine, have a bit of respect for other people and wear a mask.”
Kim Tate in Emmerdale
Claire King plays Kim Tate in Emmerdale.
Kim has had quite the time of it lately.
She’s planning her wedding to fiancé Will Taylor, but his ex Harriet Finch has declared her love for him and is determined to mess their day up.
Meanwhile, in the midst of it all, she’s discovered her son, Jamie Tate, is alive and well despitebeing presumed dead. Not only that, but he’s a violent man who supposedly pushed his mother-in-law, Hazel down the stairs and left her for dead.
All this and she got her granddaughter Millie back, then lost her again. And has pushed Will’s family, Dawn, Billy, Lucas and Clemmie out of the doors at Home Farm.
She’s facing quite the lonely future.
But after issuing a dark threat to Harriet, Kim is determined to make her marriage to Will a success.
He’s clearly getting cold feet and unsure whether she’s the woman for him.
Kim has a habit of getting exactly what she wants all of the time, so will this time be different?
Can she keep her man?
Read more: Who is in the cast of Emmerdale 2022? Meet the full line up here!
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights at 7pm on ITV, with an extra episode at 8pm on Thursdays.
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