In a surprising revelation, Emmerdale fans were left stunned after discovering that Claire King, the iconic actress who plays Kim Tate, previously appeared in a rival soap—and many had no idea!

Claire King is best known for portraying the fierce and cunning Kim Tate on Emmerdale, a role she first took on in 1989. Over the years, she has become one of the most memorable and beloved characters on the show, known for her high-stakes drama, romantic entanglements, and even faking her own death! After leaving Emmerdale in 1999, Claire returned with a bang 20 years later, continuing to stir up trouble and intrigue in the village.

This week’s Emmerdale storyline saw Kim revealed as the mastermind behind a blackmail scheme targeting her cheating husband, Will Taylor (played by Dean Andrews), following his affair with Rose (Christine Trarco).

But what really caught fans off guard was the recent discovery that Claire King once appeared in another beloved soap—Hollyoaks!

A fan posted on an Emmerdale Facebook page, sharing a snapshot of Claire from Hollyoaks, where she played Andrea Mason QC, a prison governor, in a guest role back in 2005. The six-episode stint on Hollyoaks had slipped under the radar for many viewers, with one fan commenting, “I watch Hollyoaks and don’t remember her being in it—when was she in it?” Another fan chimed in, “She hasn’t changed!”

In addition to her roles on Emmerdale and Hollyoaks, Claire also had a stint on Coronation Street, where she played Erica Holroyd between 2014 and 2017. Erica was involved in romantic storylines with Corrie characters Nick Platt (Ben Price) and Dev Alahan (Jimmy Harkishin).

Before her soap stardom, Claire initially gained fame as part of a pop group called To Be Continued and even starred in the 1987 film Eat the Rich before landing her iconic role as Kim Tate.

What do you think of Claire King’s roles outside of Emmerdale? Did you know she starred in Hollyoaks and Coronation Street? Let me know in the comments!