Claire King returning to Emmerdale in October after shielding
4 years ago
9 September 2020 - 4:00 PM

Claire King returning to Emmerdale in October after shielding

Claire King is returning to \'Emmerdale\' next month after an extended time away, due to shielding amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Most of the 57-year-old actress\' co-stars have returned to the Dales amid the health crisis, but because Claire has a low immune system due to suffering from Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) since her 20s, she was granted extra time off.

She said: "I had 12 weeks and then I got a doctor\'s note. I could\'ve gone back in June, but they were unsure at work.

"So, they wrote me out for a few extra months, due to my Rheumatoid arthritis.

"I do go back next month, so fingers crossed ... if the old brain\'s working OK. That\'s the worry.

"It was 30 years ago I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis, and this is Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Week.

"There are so many misconceptions that it\'s an old person\'s disease, but I was in my 20s when I was diagnosed."

Claire - who plays Kim Tate - admitted she has daily struggles due to the disease, such as writing messages on her phone and doing up buttons, but she is "fit and ready to go back" to \'Emmerdale\'.

She said: "It\'s often a disease that goes unnoticed. It\'s all those everyday struggles, like buttons.

"Costume department are brilliant, they do up all my buttons before I put my shirts on, or jackets.

"Using a phone, things like that, it\'s little, everyday struggles you have to go through.

"I\'ve got a low immune system [as a result], so I\'ve got to watch out, basically.

"But I\'m fit and ready to go back."

As a result of RA, Claire also finds it harder to learn her lines, so she spends two hours in the bath practicing because she needs "total focus".

Speaking on \'This Morning\', she added: "I sit for about two hours in a bath with a glass of sherry and keep topping the water up, and I learn my lines.

"I\'ve got to have total focus.

"The older you get anyway it gets worse, but I think with this condition it is harder."

You might like these
Lizzo faces hate after publicly supporting Chris Brown

Lizzo faces hate after publicly supporting Chris Brown

5 October 2021 - 10:26 AM

Lizzo faces hate after publicly supporting Chris Brown
Children In Need set for 10pm finish due to filming restrictions

Children In Need set for 10pm finish due to filming restrictions

2 October 2020 - 12:00 PM

Children In Need set for 10pm finish due to filming restrictions
Joey Essex 'splits from Brenda Santos'

Joey Essex 'splits from Brenda Santos'

2 October 2020 - 12:00 PM

Joey Essex 'splits from Brenda Santos'
Zara McDermott begs for Sam Thompson's forgiveness

Zara McDermott begs for Sam Thompson's forgiveness

2 October 2020 - 12:00 PM

Zara McDermott begs for Sam Thompson's forgiveness
Linda Robson's cancer gene fears

Linda Robson's cancer gene fears

2 October 2020 - 12:00 PM

Linda Robson's cancer gene fears

Isabella Rossellini to star in live action/stop motion blend
2 May 2025

Isabella Rossellini to star in live action/stop motion blend

Isabella Rossellini to star in live action/stop motion blend
'The Mastermind': First look at Josh O'Connor in new heist movie.
30 April 2025

'The Mastermind': First look at Josh O'Connor in new heist movie.

'The Mastermind': First look at Josh O'Connor in new heist movie.
'Now You See Me: Now You Don't’ shares first official trailer
29 April 2025

'Now You See Me: Now You Don't’ shares first official trailer

'Now You See Me: Now You Don't’ shares first official trailer
Dev Patel is working in his next film 'The Peasant'
28 April 2025

Dev Patel is working in his next film 'The Peasant'

Dev Patel is working in his next film 'The Peasant'
'Falling': Newest drama by Jack Thorne for Channel 4
25 April 2025

'Falling': Newest drama by Jack Thorne for Channel 4

'Falling': Newest drama by Jack Thorne for Channel 4
'Until Dawn' is premiering this Friday 25
23 April 2025

'Until Dawn' is premiering this Friday 25

'Until Dawn' is premiering this Friday 25
What we know about HBO's Harry Potter adaptation
17 April 2025

What we know about HBO's Harry Potter adaptation

What we know about HBO's Harry Potter adaptation
Taron Egerton to star in Apple TV+ 'Smoke' along Jurnee Smollett
15 April 2025

Taron Egerton to star in Apple TV+ 'Smoke' along Jurnee Smollett

Taron Egerton to star in Apple TV+ 'Smoke' along Jurnee Smollett
'The Roses': New black comedy starring Benedict Cumberbatch
14 April 2025

'The Roses': New black comedy starring Benedict Cumberbatch

'The Roses': New black comedy starring Benedict Cumberbatch
Philip Barantini could possibly direct 'The Alchemist' adaptation
13 April 2025

Philip Barantini could possibly direct 'The Alchemist' adaptation

Philip Barantini could possibly direct 'The Alchemist' adaptation
'Pride And Prejudice' is getting a new adaptation by Netflix
10 April 2025

'Pride And Prejudice' is getting a new adaptation by Netflix

'Pride And Prejudice' is getting a new adaptation by Netflix
'Fountain of Youth' is releasing May 23 on Apple TV+
2 April 2025

'Fountain of Youth' is releasing May 23 on Apple TV+

'Fountain of Youth' is releasing May 23 on Apple TV+
Statistic Statistic